Community Sharing CSED0026

Don’t Fail the Frail

Author(s): Chelsy Bechtold, ADN, RN, Lauren Curcio, BSN, RN, GERO-BC

CERP A 0.50

Expires Nov 21, 2024

Topics: Trauma

Population: Geriatric

Role: Staff

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Activity Summary

Our CSI team noticed that our trauma patient population comprises primarily geriatric patients: 50% of trauma admissions are over age 65. To improve assessment of our geriatric trauma patients, we implemented a clinical frailty scale to identify those patients at increased risk for adverse outcomes. Our efforts resulted in a 34% increase in frailty screening of geriatric trauma patients and a decrease in geriatric trauma patients’ length of stay of 3% (0.2 days). Our change project was positively received by the geriatric medicine team and led to an increase in overall awareness of frailty on our unit. This growth in frailty awareness generated an increase in geriatric consults and a decrease in pressure injuries, both unintended positive outcomes.

Objectives

  • Discuss key concepts of a direct care nurse unit change project ter text
  • Apply tools and methods shared in their own unit

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Providing access to an educational activity does not imply endorsement by AACN of the content or any products mentioned.

Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) are recognized by the AACN Certification Corporation to fulfill educational requirements for certification. Some state boards of nursing and other certification organizations may recognize CERPs as meeting CE Contact Hour requirements. Nurses should consult with their state board or credentialing organization before submitting CERPs to fulfill CE Contact Hour requirements.