No abstract

Background Delirium is a medical emergency and is associated with increased risk of mortality, in-hospital complications, length of stay and institutionalisation. Delirium screening is recommended for patients at risk on admission. Despite this, delirium screening is frequently not undertaken in the acute setting leading to undiagnosed delirium and sub-optimal clinical care. We aim to investigate the prevalence of delirium in patients aged ≥75 years attending the Emergency Department (ED) of a tertiary referral centre. Methods Patients aged ≥75yrs presenting to the ED between 08.30 and 18.30, Monday- Friday were assessed by an interdisplinary gerontological service using a standardised assessment tool including the 4AT to screen for delirium. Data was collected and analysed via Excel. Results Of 163 patients screened over a 4 week period 47.9% (78/163) were male with a mean age of 81.8 years (SD 2.7). Twenty three percent (34/148) scored ≥4 indicating a possible delirium. Patients with delirium were older (85 yrs vs. 80 yrs, P<0.001), were more likely to score ≥4 on Clinical Frailty Scale (97% vs. 56%, P<0.001), and at risk of, or have malnutrition (MNA SF score <12) (86% vs. 40%, P<0.001). Conclusion Routine screening of patients in the acute setting detected a high rate of delirium at a level which is consistent with previous studies. Patients with delirium were older, more frequently frail and at risk of malnutrition. Our results support the evidence for routine screening for delirium in the acute setting.

Background Dysphagia, frailty and negative patient outcomes are interlinked1. Changes in communication may result from the ageing process, chronic conditions, and/or neurologic conditions presenting in later years2. However, unlike other cohorts, including stroke, frail older patients are not routinely screened for swallowing/communication difficulties in acute settings. We investigated the proportion of Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) referrals generated for older patients attending our Emergency Department (ED) following use of a swallowing/communication screening tool and their association with Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) scores. Methods A retrospective analysis of data collected over a four week period was completed. Older patients presenting to ED were screened by the interdisciplinary gerontological ED team using a screening tool, including a locally developed swallow/communication screen. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA Version 12. Results Of 176 patients screened (mean age 81.8 years, SD 5.9 years), median CFS score was 5 (IQR 3-6). Thirty-seven percent (66/176) of patients were referred for SLT assessment following initial screen. SLT referrals were more commonly required in patients with a CFS score of ≥4 (46.2% vs. 19.3%, P=0.001) and likelihood of requiring SLT referral increased with greater CFS score (P<0.0001). Conclusion Results suggest that screening for swallowing and communication difficulties in older patients yields a high level of SLT referrals, with a higher frequency of SLT referrals observed with increasing frailty scores. Further research is required to determine the optimum swallowing/communication screening tool in the acute setting. Future research will focus on evaluating outcomes of SLT assessments completed and determining the prevalence of swallowing and/or communication difficulties in this cohort.

Background The presentation of frail older adults to the Emergency Department (ED) may be complicated by swallowing and/or communication impairment. Adults with communication impairment may experience difficulty accessing healthcare. Dysphagia is associated with frailty irrespective of age and/or number of chronic diseases [1]. This study aims to determine the prevalence and characteristics of swallowing and/or communication impairments among frail older adults attending the ED. Methods A retrospective cohort study of consecutive ED attendees aged ≥ 75 years assessed by an interdisciplinary Gerontological ED team between October 2021 – February 2022 was conducted. A swallow/communication screening tool determined requirement for Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) referral. Data related to demographics and SLT interventions was extracted. Data analysis was completed using STATA Version 12. Ethical approval was obtained. Results Among 518 patients, 118 (23%) (mean age 82.4 (+/-6.4) years, 54% male) required SLT assessment. These patients had high rates of frailty (Median CFS= 6 (IQR 5-7), suspected delirium (4AT ≥ 4 in 45%), suspected malnutrition (MNA score 0-11 in 75%), and probable sarcopenia (SARC-F= ≥ 4 in 75%). Therapy Outcome Measurement Scales and the Functional Oral Intake Scale were used in this first episode of SLT care. Oropharyngeal dysphagia was identified for 43% (27% mild, 10% moderate, 3% moderate-severe, 3% severe), with 6% presenting with signs/symptoms of oesophageal dysphagia. Changes in baseline communication was identified for 57%; cognitive communication difficulties (38%), dysarthria (11%), dysphonia (8%). SLT intervention and management approaches were initiated in the ED. Conclusion Findings indicate a high prevalence of swallowing/communication impairment in frail older adults attending the ED. Future research should explore SLT outcomes at point of discharge to refine these swallowing/communication presentations. Reference 1. Bahat G et al. Association between dysphagia and frailty in community-dwelling older adults. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Ageing. 2019:23, 571–577.