Modernising geriatric care: establishing an acute frailty unit

Abstract

To develop an acute frailty unit (AFU) to reduce length of stay and readmission rate in the elderly, by providing direct access to comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), facilitating a safe discharge within 72 hours. The pressure for hospital beds in the elderly continues to grow; by 2035, 23% of the population is projected to be aged 65 and over. This community are at the highest risk of acquired disability, cognitive decline or admission to residential care, which is refl ected by more than two million unplanned hospital admissions a year. The NHS needs to meet these unique demands in a challenging financial climate. Future hospitals should incorporate AFUs to deliver early CGA to this vulnerable population, to reduce length of stay and in-hospital mortality. Direct selected admissions from A&E and AMU can be safely discharged within 72 hours following consultant-led, and MDT-delivered, CGA. Our model has delivered on these aims with effi cient patient-centred care, and proven cost-effective with the closure of a larger geriatric ward.