Objectives
The measurement of frailty using a Frailty Index (FI) has been criticised as too time‐consuming for use in hospital settings. We aimed to assess the feasibility and characteristics of an FI derived from routinely collected data.
Methods
A total of 258 participants aged 65 and older were included in a single‐centre prospective cohort study conducted in inpatient geriatric rehabilitation wards. The functional independence measure (FIM™), medication count and comorbidities were coded as deficits.
Results
An FI could be derived in all participants. It was normally distributed with a mean (SD) of 0.42 (0.13) and reached a submaximal limit of 0.69. Adjusting for age and sex, the odds ratio of a poor outcome (death/discharge to higher care) was 1.38 (confidence interval 1.11–1.70) per unit (0.1) increase in FI.
Conclusion
Derivation of an FI from routinely collected data is feasible in geriatric rehabilitation settings and is predictive of poor outcomes.