Investigating the use of ‘frailty’ on death certificates and admission information; a retrospective case note analysis

Dr Margaret Dunham, Dr Ali Ali, Mr Ian Eady and Dr Sally Fowler-Davis

Frailty is a factor in reduced mobility, potential for falls, loss of independence and possible early death for older people. So, early and consistent identification of risk factors is very important in the planning of preventative or supportive care. This is a preliminary study to investigate the use of the term 'frailty' and whether the use in case records is consistent with the use on death certificates. It is hoped that gaining a greater understanding of how frailty is identified, and acknowledged in the medical records of people who have recently died, may help inform or consolidate good care practices.