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. 2022 Nov;9(3):286-290.
doi: 10.7861/fhj.2022-0071.

Developing frailty friendly hospitals: the Specialised Clinical Frailty Network

Nathan Hall  1 , Richard Fluck  1 , Towhid Imam  1 , Thomas Jacob  1 , Deborah Thompson  2 , Matt Tite  2 , Emma Backhouse  2 , Jugdeep Dhesi  3 , Simon Conroy  4
Affiliations

Developing frailty friendly hospitals: the Specialised Clinical Frailty Network

Nathan Hall et al. Future Healthc J. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the Specialised Clinical Frailty Network (SCFN) was to develop frailty-attuned pathways in specialised services in England.

Methods: We developed a breakthrough series collaborative involving a range of specialised services, using quality improvement methods (including experience-based design) to implement improvements designed to enhance the experience and outcomes of older people living with frailty who have specialised healthcare needs.

Results: Specialised teams responded positively to the SCFN, many implementing process changes aligned to the needs of older people living with frailty. Some were able to demonstrate improvements in service and/or patient outcomes, including greater identification of frailty, more holistic care and increased use of shared decision making.

Discussion: The network has successfully demonstrated how frailty can be assessed both at individual, as well as population level, to support both local teams and systems to best manage the health of their patients.

Keywords: frailty; quality improvement; specialised healthcare needs.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Specialised Clinical Frailty Network overarching approach using frailty to inform clinical care.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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