Open AccessImproving acute care for older people at scale – the Acute Frailty Network
Author(s) -
Simon Conroy,
Deborah J. Thompson,
Simon Griffiths,
Matthew Tite,
Jennifer Guest,
Amanda Rumley-Buss,
Lisa Smith,
Paula Burge,
Jack Hawkins,
John Gladman
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acute medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.14
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1747-4892
pISSN - 1747-4884
DOI - 10.52964/amja.0634
Subject(s) - medicine , older people , acute care , scale (ratio) , gerontology , cohort , health care , physics , quantum mechanics , economics , economic growth
Older people form a growing proportion and volume of those accessing urgent care. Non-specific presentations, multiple comorbidities and functional decline make assessment and management of this cohort challenging. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment offers an evidence based framework to assess and mange older people, especially those with frailty. In this article we describe the CGA approach, underpinned by specific examples illustrating some of the key competencies required, and describe the role of the Acute Frailty Network (AFN). The AFN is a national improvement collaborative designed to support hospitals in delivering evidence based care for older people with frailty and urgent care needs. We describe the principles underlying the approach of the AFN, derived from working with over 20 hospitals, and some of the early successes.