154Pilot of a Frail Intervention Therapy Team (FITT) in Emergency Department at Cavan General Hospital

Abstract

Background: The National Clinical Programme for Older People (NCPOP) recommend the use of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessement for all those identified as frail, at risk, older people to fully assess their individual needs and the range of services they require. Conroy et al., 2013 showed the use of CGA in the ED was associated with a reduction in admissions and readmissions. Cavan Monaghan hospital group has no dedicated Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCP) in ED or AMAU. It was decided to provide a 2 week pilot, 6th-16th March 2017, Healthcare Professionals would work together to provide a FITT team. The FITT Team is a group of Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs) dedicated to identifying the frail in ED from existing staffing levels, hospital and primary care services were utilised. Methods: We developed a HSCP Frail Elderly Pathway for ED. The FITT team included. 1 WTE Senior Occupational Therapist 1 WTE Senior Physiotherapist 1WTE Senior Dietitian Senior Social Worker as available Senior Speech Therapist as available Pharmacist as available Access to Public Health Nurse service for access to Home Care Packages Patients were identified for intervention using the Frail Elderly HSCP Common Screening Tool. Results: Over the 9 day pilot period, 106 referrals were received by the FITT team. Each patient received the appropriate intervention. Their needs were met in a timely manner with early referral to primary care teams. In a follow up staff survey, overall satisfaction was rated as “very good” or “excellent”. Conclusion: Learning Points Importance of identifying frail patients on admission Necessity of early intervention Benefit of Interdisciplinary assessment and treatment Increased knowledge of each HSCP role Enhanced-patient flow through ED Importance of MDT communication Valuable contribution to ED Team.