A quick frailty measure before elective procedures, such as the FRAIL scale (fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, loss of weight) or the Clinical Frailty Scale, identifies patients at higher risk of complications, delirium and loss of independence. It takes about two minutes, helps shared decisions, and flags who needs prehabilitation, medication review and closer postoperative support.
- Use the FRAIL scale or Clinical Frailty Scale before elective procedures in older adults.
- Record the score in the referral and the notes.
- Use it in shared decision-making, not as a bar to treatment.
- Trigger medication review and delirium prevention for frail patients.
Why it matters
Frailty predicts outcomes after procedures better than age alone.
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this finding is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for geriatrics, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free