On Friday, February 21st in Deadwood, SD, Dr. Steven Buslovich and Dr. Andrea Baier shared how to operationalize frailty to improve quality and initiate palliative care.
Physicians, certified nurse practitioners, long-term care, home health and hospice professionals from the western side of the state gathered to learn about the impact of frailty risk assessments and how it allows everyone to make informed decisions, communicate realistic expectations, and aid transitions of care decisions. Dr. Buslovich introduced a clinical frailty scale to assess medical complexity and help determine adverse outcomes. Several case studies were reviewed, and the frailty index was determined with an accurate predictor of clinical risk and appropriate care recommendations following surgery or other changes in condition. Dr. Buslovich discussed the benefits of frailty risk assessments and how this method has been proven to align patient/family expectations and improves resident discharges by enhancing recovery and improving outcomes.
Dr. Andrea Baier shared a detailed overview of palliative care, the evolving care models and the limitations that may hinder the use of palliative care. Discussion surrounding how palliative care impacts medically frail patients with adverse health outcomes and increased mortality and how palliative care can support symptom control, assess severity, advance care planning and improve communication on how to best care for the individual.
The event concluded with audience participation and open discussion on how facilities can operationalize frailty and better use palliative care to improve the comfort of the individual.ā
To purchase the recording of this event, please email Michella Sybesma at michella.sybesma@sdaho.org.
