Abstract
Background: In 2022, the QEUH opened an acute short stay frailty unit. Previous QI projects had shown that the 7-day readmission rate was above the national average. Implementing future care plans was thought to be a way of reducing unnecessary readmissions to hospital.
Aim: To ensure that all patients on the acute short stay frailty unit, over a 12 month period, have a Future Care Plan (FCP) discussed and documented on Clinical Portal
Methods: Using the PDSA cycle, baseline data was collected from 92 patients admitted to Ward 2A between October and March to determine if change was needed. Change interventions were then implemented and run charts were made by collecting data from 8 randomly selected patients per week.
Results: Baseline data showed that only 11% (10/92) patients had a documented Future Care Plan. An information session was held and for the first five weeks after this 22.5% (8/40) patients had documented FCPs. A column was then added to the multidisciplinary team (MDT) board and for the 5 weeks following this 17.5% (7/40) patients had a documented FCP.
Discussion: Although the completion of FCP documentation has improved there is still huge scope for improvement. Time pressures and lack of education are two of the main barriers preventing FCP discussion and documentation. The next step for this project is to improve education around FCP discussions and documentation and empowering members of the MDT, such as frailty practitioners and elderly care assessment nurses, to have FCP discussions.