Implementation of population-level screening for frailty among patients admitted to adult intensive care in Alberta, Canada

A substantial proportion of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are frail; however, the epidemiology of frailty has not been explored at a population-level. Following implementation of a validated frailty measure into a provincial ICU clinical information system, we describe the population-based prevalence and outcomes of frailty in patients admitted to ICUs.

Retrospective cohort study of adult admissions to 17 ICUs. Data were captured using eCritical Alberta. A Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) score assigned at ICU admission was used to define the exposure (CFS score ≥ 5). Primary outcome was hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were ICU and hospital stay, and receipt of organ support.

Fifteen thousand two hundred and thirty-eight patients (81%) were assigned a CFS score at ICU admission. Of these, 28% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27 to 28) were frail. Prevalence of frailty was 9-43% across ICUs. Frail patients were older [mean (standard deviation) 63 (15) vs 56 (17) yr; P < 0.001], more likely to be male (54% vs 46% female; P < 0.001), and had higher APACHE II scores [22 (8) vs 17 (8); P < 0.001] compared with non-frail patients. Frail patients received less mechanical ventilation (62% vs 68%; P < 0.001) and vasoactive therapy (24% vs 57%; P < 0.001), but more non-invasive ventilation (22% vs 9%; P < 0.001). Frail patients had higher hospital mortality (23% vs 9%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.64 to 2.05, along with longer ICU stay (median [interquartile range] 4 [2-8] vs 3 [2-6] days; P < 0.001), and longer hospital stay (16 [8-36] vs 10 [5-20] days; P < 0.001) compared with non-frail patients.

A validated measure of frailty can be implemented at the population level in ICU. Frailty is common in ICU patients and has implications for health service use and clinical outcomes.