Frailty screening and a frailty pathway decrease length of stay, loss of independence, and 30-day readmission rates in frail geriatric trauma and emergency general surgery patients

摘要

BACKGROUND Frail geriatric trauma and emergency general surgery (TEGS) patients have longer lengths of stay (LOS), more readmissions, and higher rates of postdischarge institutionalization than their nonfrail counterparts. Despite calls to action by national trauma coalitions, there are few published reports of prospective interventions. The objective of this quality improvement project was to first develop a frailty screening program, and, then, if frail, implement a novel frailty pathway to reduce LOS, 30-day readmissions, and loss of independence.