‘The Frail Scale Prevails’-
Implementing frailty screening at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney Transitional Aged Care Program (TACP)
Alexis Cox1, Cassie Limburg1, Philippa Star1, Lina Belalcazar Osorio11St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, Sydney, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
Abstract
Background
Life expectancy in Australia is increasing, with 23% of the population expected to be over 65 by 2066. Frailty impacts quality of life and independence. Following a hospital admission, TACP presents an opportunity for multidisciplinary intervention in reversible aspects of frailty. Screening allows clinicians to identify frailty and provide targeted interventions that delay/reverse it. The project aims to implement screening to identify frail older clients and evaluate the interventions provided.
Method
A structured literature review was conducted using staged quality improvement methodology. A systematic search of the literature was completed to identify frailty screening tools. OVID and CIAP databases were searched using key terms including frailty, screening, tool and community. Considerations for tool selection included administration time, validated for use in the community, objective clinician assessment/subjective client reporting, training requirements, multidisciplinary constructs of frailty and calculation method.
Results
The search identified 25 papers. Following full text review, the Frail Scale was chosen as the screening tool for piloting within TACP as it is client reported and validated for use in the community. The Frail Scale will be conducted on admission to TACP by Allied Health and Registered Nurses.
Discussion
This project aims to improve delivery of care to older people receiving TACP as screening clients ensures frailty is identified, and therefore targeted interventions provided. The Frail Scale is a patient reported measure, which supports shared decision making and patient autonomy. The next stage of the project is implementation of the tool and evaluation of multidisciplinary interventions to address frailty.
Biography
Alexis Cox is an experienced Senior Physiotherapist at St Vincent’s Hospital Network Sydney, Transitional Aged Care Program. She has 11 years clinical experience across the continuum of aged care and is passionate about improving the quality of life of older people. Alexis is currently undertaking post graduate leadership qualifications.
Cassie Limburg is a Senior Physiotherapist at St Vincent’s Hospital Network Sydney, Transitional Aged Care Program. Cassie has 6 years clinical experience across community and residential aged care and is passionate about keeping older people engaged in their community. Cassie is currently undertaking postgraduate training in Health Services Management.