Latest news with #SNAP3
Medscape
7 days ago
- General
- Medscape
UK Hospitals Missing Frailty Screening for Surgery Patients
Nearly three-quarters of UK hospitals are not routinely screening older surgical patients for frailty, despite known risks of adverse outcomes. A study by the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) and the University of Nottingham found that 71% of hospitals do not assess frailty in patients over 60. The research, published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, shows that 1 in 5 surgical patients in this age group are living with frailty. This condition significantly increases the risk of complications, extended hospital stays, delirium, and death. Largest UK Study on Frailty in Surgical Patients The findings are from the RCoA's third Sprint National Anaesthesia Project (SNAP3), the UK's most comprehensive study on frailty and multimorbidity in surgical patients. Researchers collected data from 7129 patients aged over 60 across 214 NHS hospitals. Data was gathered over five consecutive days in March 2022. The observational study found that older patients living with frailty: Stay an average of three days longer in hospital post-surgery. Stay six days longer if they are severely frail. Are three times more likely to experience complications. Are four times more likely to develop post-operative delirium. Are three times more likely to die within a year of surgery. Lack of Awareness Among Clinicians The researchers identified limited clinician awareness about the impact of frailty and multimorbidity on postoperative outcomes as a key barrier to improving outcomes. The researchers recommended routine frailty assessments for all patients over 60 before surgery. This would allow for tailored care, with input from geriatricians where appropriate. The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is a ssimple assessment tool that clinicians can use to identify frailty and guide appropriate referrals, the RCoA said. Improving Patient Recovery Dr Claire Shannon, president of the RCoA, said universal frailty screening could significantly improve patient recovery. 'With older people accounting for an increasing proportion of surgical patients, implementing effective screening for frailty is becoming ever more necessary,' she said. 'Universal adoption of frailty assessments will not only help patients recover better from surgery but also help improve efficiency by avoiding extended lengths of stay in hospital.' Iain Moppett, chief investigator of SNAP3 and professor at the University of Nottingham's School of Medicine, said screening supports better decision-making. 'Identifying frailty is straightforward and should lead to open and honest discussions with patients,' he said. 'Good teamwork between the right specialists — surgeons, anaesthetists, and geriatricians — helps to get patients living with frailty as fit and well as possible before surgery, make the right decisions, and get the best care after surgery.'
Belfast Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Frailty of older patients ‘not being assessed in majority of hospitals'
Frail people are more likely to stay longer in hospital after an operation and are at greater risk of complications, researchers warned. Experts have called for all surgical patients over 60 to be screened for frailty as standard practice to bolster recovery and slash extended stays in hospitals. Frailty is a medical condition that is common in older people, with symptoms such as reduced muscle strength, fatigue, slower walking pace, lower activity levels, weight loss and increased vulnerability. Clinicians can assess how frail a patient is by using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), which gives a score based on factors such as walking ability and managing daily tasks. A score of more than five indicates the patient should be referred for specialist care. The analysis, led by the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) and the University of Nottingham and published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, includes data from 7,129 patients. It was collected over five days in March 2022 from across 214 NHS hospitals. It found 71% of hospitals were not routinely screening surgical patients aged 60 and over for frailty. The research also highlighted the risks associated with frailty. Patients with the condition stay an average of three days longer in hospital after an operation, with severely frail people staying six days longer, and are three times more likely to have complications. Frail patients are also four times more likely to experience delirium, a condition that causes confusion, and are also three times more likely to die in the first year after surgery. Professor Iain Moppett, from the University of Nottingham's School of Medicine and chief investigator for the RCoA's third Sprint National Anaesthesia Project (SNAP3), said: 'Identifying frailty is straightforward and should lead to open and honest discussions with patients about what can be offered, what they want and what they can expect if they choose to have surgery. 'Good teamwork between the right specialists – surgeons, anaesthetists and geriatricians – helps to get patients living with frailty as fit and well as possible before surgery, make the right decisions and get the best care after surgery.' RCoA president Dr Claire Shannon said: 'There is huge potential to improve patient outcomes by assessing all those over 60 for frailty as standard practice so that their care can be managed appropriately, with involvement from a geriatrician. 'With older people accounting for an increasing proportion of surgical patients, implementing effective screening for frailty is becoming ever more necessary. 'Universal adoption of frailty assessments will not only help patients recover better from surgery but also help improve efficiency by avoiding extended lengths of stay in hospital.' An NHS spokesperson said: 'Assessing frailty is essential in helping to get older patients as fit and well as possible before, during and after surgery and the NHS elective care plan reinforces this. 'The NHS continues work to support efforts to change the way care is given to relieve the pressure on hospitals and adapt to the increasing demands of an ageing population.'
Leader Live
27-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Frailty of older patients ‘not being assessed in majority of hospitals'
Frail people are more likely to stay longer in hospital after an operation and are at greater risk of complications, researchers warned. Experts have called for all surgical patients over 60 to be screened for frailty as standard practice to bolster recovery and slash extended stays in hospitals. Frailty is a medical condition that is common in older people, with symptoms such as reduced muscle strength, fatigue, slower walking pace, lower activity levels, weight loss and increased vulnerability. Clinicians can assess how frail a patient is by using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), which gives a score based on factors such as walking ability and managing daily tasks. A score of more than five indicates the patient should be referred for specialist care. The analysis, led by the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) and the University of Nottingham and published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, includes data from 7,129 patients. It was collected over five days in March 2022 from across 214 NHS hospitals. It found 71% of hospitals were not routinely screening surgical patients aged 60 and over for frailty. The research also highlighted the risks associated with frailty. Patients with the condition stay an average of three days longer in hospital after an operation, with severely frail people staying six days longer, and are three times more likely to have complications. Frail patients are also four times more likely to experience delirium, a condition that causes confusion, and are also three times more likely to die in the first year after surgery. Professor Iain Moppett, from the University of Nottingham's School of Medicine and chief investigator for the RCoA's third Sprint National Anaesthesia Project (SNAP3), said: 'Identifying frailty is straightforward and should lead to open and honest discussions with patients about what can be offered, what they want and what they can expect if they choose to have surgery. 'Good teamwork between the right specialists – surgeons, anaesthetists and geriatricians – helps to get patients living with frailty as fit and well as possible before surgery, make the right decisions and get the best care after surgery.' RCoA president Dr Claire Shannon said: 'There is huge potential to improve patient outcomes by assessing all those over 60 for frailty as standard practice so that their care can be managed appropriately, with involvement from a geriatrician. 'With older people accounting for an increasing proportion of surgical patients, implementing effective screening for frailty is becoming ever more necessary. 'Universal adoption of frailty assessments will not only help patients recover better from surgery but also help improve efficiency by avoiding extended lengths of stay in hospital.' An NHS spokesperson said: 'Assessing frailty is essential in helping to get older patients as fit and well as possible before, during and after surgery and the NHS elective care plan reinforces this. 'The NHS continues work to support efforts to change the way care is given to relieve the pressure on hospitals and adapt to the increasing demands of an ageing population.'
North Wales Chronicle
27-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Frailty of older patients ‘not being assessed in majority of hospitals'
Frail people are more likely to stay longer in hospital after an operation and are at greater risk of complications, researchers warned. Experts have called for all surgical patients over 60 to be screened for frailty as standard practice to bolster recovery and slash extended stays in hospitals. Frailty is a medical condition that is common in older people, with symptoms such as reduced muscle strength, fatigue, slower walking pace, lower activity levels, weight loss and increased vulnerability. Clinicians can assess how frail a patient is by using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), which gives a score based on factors such as walking ability and managing daily tasks. A score of more than five indicates the patient should be referred for specialist care. The analysis, led by the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) and the University of Nottingham and published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, includes data from 7,129 patients. It was collected over five days in March 2022 from across 214 NHS hospitals. It found 71% of hospitals were not routinely screening surgical patients aged 60 and over for frailty. The research also highlighted the risks associated with frailty. Patients with the condition stay an average of three days longer in hospital after an operation, with severely frail people staying six days longer, and are three times more likely to have complications. Frail patients are also four times more likely to experience delirium, a condition that causes confusion, and are also three times more likely to die in the first year after surgery. Professor Iain Moppett, from the University of Nottingham's School of Medicine and chief investigator for the RCoA's third Sprint National Anaesthesia Project (SNAP3), said: 'Identifying frailty is straightforward and should lead to open and honest discussions with patients about what can be offered, what they want and what they can expect if they choose to have surgery. 'Good teamwork between the right specialists – surgeons, anaesthetists and geriatricians – helps to get patients living with frailty as fit and well as possible before surgery, make the right decisions and get the best care after surgery.' RCoA president Dr Claire Shannon said: 'There is huge potential to improve patient outcomes by assessing all those over 60 for frailty as standard practice so that their care can be managed appropriately, with involvement from a geriatrician. 'With older people accounting for an increasing proportion of surgical patients, implementing effective screening for frailty is becoming ever more necessary. 'Universal adoption of frailty assessments will not only help patients recover better from surgery but also help improve efficiency by avoiding extended lengths of stay in hospital.' An NHS spokesperson said: 'Assessing frailty is essential in helping to get older patients as fit and well as possible before, during and after surgery and the NHS elective care plan reinforces this. 'The NHS continues work to support efforts to change the way care is given to relieve the pressure on hospitals and adapt to the increasing demands of an ageing population.'
Rhyl Journal
27-05-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Frailty of older patients ‘not being assessed in majority of hospitals'
Frail people are more likely to stay longer in hospital after an operation and are at greater risk of complications, researchers warned. Experts have called for all surgical patients over 60 to be screened for frailty as standard practice to bolster recovery and slash extended stays in hospitals. Frailty is a medical condition that is common in older people, with symptoms such as reduced muscle strength, fatigue, slower walking pace, lower activity levels, weight loss and increased vulnerability. Clinicians can assess how frail a patient is by using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), which gives a score based on factors such as walking ability and managing daily tasks. A score of more than five indicates the patient should be referred for specialist care. The analysis, led by the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) and the University of Nottingham and published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, includes data from 7,129 patients. It was collected over five days in March 2022 from across 214 NHS hospitals. It found 71% of hospitals were not routinely screening surgical patients aged 60 and over for frailty. The research also highlighted the risks associated with frailty. Patients with the condition stay an average of three days longer in hospital after an operation, with severely frail people staying six days longer, and are three times more likely to have complications. Frail patients are also four times more likely to experience delirium, a condition that causes confusion, and are also three times more likely to die in the first year after surgery. Professor Iain Moppett, from the University of Nottingham's School of Medicine and chief investigator for the RCoA's third Sprint National Anaesthesia Project (SNAP3), said: 'Identifying frailty is straightforward and should lead to open and honest discussions with patients about what can be offered, what they want and what they can expect if they choose to have surgery. 'Good teamwork between the right specialists – surgeons, anaesthetists and geriatricians – helps to get patients living with frailty as fit and well as possible before surgery, make the right decisions and get the best care after surgery.' RCoA president Dr Claire Shannon said: 'There is huge potential to improve patient outcomes by assessing all those over 60 for frailty as standard practice so that their care can be managed appropriately, with involvement from a geriatrician. 'With older people accounting for an increasing proportion of surgical patients, implementing effective screening for frailty is becoming ever more necessary. 'Universal adoption of frailty assessments will not only help patients recover better from surgery but also help improve efficiency by avoiding extended lengths of stay in hospital.' An NHS spokesperson said: 'Assessing frailty is essential in helping to get older patients as fit and well as possible before, during and after surgery and the NHS elective care plan reinforces this. 'The NHS continues work to support efforts to change the way care is given to relieve the pressure on hospitals and adapt to the increasing demands of an ageing population.'
