Jones HT, Teranaka W, Hunter P, Gross L, Conroy S. What is the impact of a pre-hospital geriatrician led telephone 'Silver Triage' for older people living with frailty?
Eur Geriatr Med 2023;
14:977-981. [PMID:
37219726 PMCID:
PMC10587299 DOI:
10.1007/s41999-023-00796-9]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Most older people are conveyed to hospital via ambulance, therefore presenting a focus to reduce hospitalisation. North Central London has introduced 'Silver Triage', a pre-hospital telephone support scheme where geriatricians support the London Ambulance Service with clinical decision-making.
METHODS
Data from the first 14 months was analysed descriptively.
RESULTS
There have been 452 Silver Triage cases (November 2021 to January 2023). 80% resulted in a decision to not convey. The mode clinical frailty scale (CFS) was 6. CFS did not influence conveyance rates. Prior to triage, paramedics thought hospitalisation was not required in 44% of cases (n = 72/165). All paramedics surveyed (n = 176) would use the service again. Most (66%, n = 108/164) felt they learnt something and 16% (n = 27/164) reported it changed their decision-making process.
CONCLUSION
Silver Triage has the potential to improve the care of older people by preventing unnecessary hospitalisation and has been well received by paramedics.
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