Use of frailty screening tool to predict poor postop outcomes

Editor's Note

The Risk Analysis Index (RAI) frailty screening tool, which was previously validated in the VA health system, can be efficiently implemented in multispecialty, multihospital healthcare systems to predict adverse postoperative outcomes, including mortality, readmission, and extended hospital stays, this study finds.

From July 1 to December 31, 2016, RAI assessments were completed for 36,261 patients in five surgical clinics. Compared with patients with normal RAI scores, patients considered very frail had five times the rate of mortality, three times the rate of readmission, and 10 times the rate of extended hospital stays.

The findings suggest that healthcare systems should consider implementing RAI frailty screening within their surgical clinics, the authors say.