UK Frailty Screening in Surgery | Hospital Concerns
- A recent study indicates that nearly three-quarters of hospitals in the United Kingdom do not routinely screen older surgical patients for frailty, a condition known to increase the...
- The study, published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, found that 71% of hospitals are not assessing frailty in surgical patients over the age of 60.
- The findings come from the RCoA’s third Sprint National Anaesthesia Project (SNAP3), a thorough UK study on frailty and multimorbidity in surgical patients.
Most UK hospitals are failing older surgical patients by not screening them for frailty screening,according to a new study. Shockingly, nearly three-quarters of hospitals don’t routinely assess patients over 60, despite hospital concerns that frailty significantly increases risks like complications, prolonged stays, and mortality. This critical oversight, highlighted by the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the University of Nottingham, affects a vulnerable segment of the population undergoing surgery. The research underscores the need for proactive measures, like the simple Clinical Frailty Scale, to identify those at risk early. The findings from this study call for immediate action from healthcare providers. Routine assessments could improve patient outcomes and efficiency.News Directory 3 is tracking this vital story. Discover what innovations in surgical patient care might be on the horizon.
Most UK Hospitals Lack Frailty Screening for older Surgical Patients
Updated May 29, 2025
A recent study indicates that nearly three-quarters of hospitals in the United Kingdom do not routinely screen older surgical patients for frailty, a condition known to increase the risk of adverse outcomes. The research, conducted by the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) and the University of Nottingham, highlights a notable gap in care for older adults undergoing surgery.
The study, published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, found that 71% of hospitals are not assessing frailty in surgical patients over the age of 60. This is despite the fact that one in five surgical patients in this age group lives with frailty,which elevates their risk of complications,extended hospital stays,delirium,and even death.
The findings come from the RCoA’s third Sprint National Anaesthesia Project (SNAP3), a thorough UK study on frailty and multimorbidity in surgical patients. Data was collected from 7,129 patients over 60 across 214 NHS hospitals during five days in March 2022.
The observational study revealed that older patients with frailty face considerable challenges. They stay in the hospital an average of three days longer post-surgery, and six days longer if severely frail. These patients are also three times more likely to experience complications, four times more likely to develop post-operative delirium, and three times more likely to die within a year of their surgery.
Researchers identified a lack of awareness among clinicians regarding the impact of frailty and multimorbidity on postoperative outcomes. They recommend routine frailty assessments for all patients over 60 before surgery to enable tailored care, potentially involving geriatricians.
The RCoA suggests using the Clinical Frailty Scale, a simple tool, to identify frailty and guide appropriate referrals.
Dr. claire Shannon, president of the RCoA, believes worldwide frailty screening could considerably improve patient recovery.
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.
Iain Moppett, chief investigator of SNAP3 and professor at the University of Nottingham’s School of Medicine, emphasized that screening supports better decision-making.
Identifying frailty is straightforward and should lead to open and honest discussions with patients. 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.
What’s next
The RCoA and University of Nottingham are advocating for the implementation of routine frailty screening across all UK hospitals to improve surgical outcomes for older patients.