CGA, Frailty, Polypharmacy & Medications Flashcards
What is a CGA? (Definition)
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
- Multidimensional, interdisciplinary diagnostic process to determine the medical, psychological & functional capabilities of a frail older person in order to develop a co-ordinated & integrated plan for treatment and long term follow up
What are the 5 components of the the CGA? ( give some examples of each part)
1) Physical Assessment - sensory loss ( hearing/ sight), gait & balance, L&S BP, cognition & mood, pain/joints, weight & nutrition, PR & genitalia, functional ability
2) Functional, social & environmental assessment - mobility, ADLs, Driving
3) Psychological - mood ( screen for low mood, depression & suicide), cognition ( use tests - MoCA, CAM, AMTS)
4) Medication Review - STOPP/START
5) Create problem list - do baseline tests ( e.g. FBC, U+Es etc.)
What is the outcome of completing a CGA?
Leads to several recommendations / treatments with clear plans and regular reviews. E.g. PT / OT help, environment modification, medication changes
Who does a CGA?
A whole MDT - doctors, nurses, PTs, OTs, social workers
What is Frailty? ( Definition)
Distinctive health state related to the ageing process in which multiple body systems gradually lose their inbuilt physiological reserve leading to increased vulnerability to a wide range of stressors (e.g. infection/trauma)
How is frailty scored?
Scored using the Clinical Frailty Scale
Define Polypharmacy
The simultaneous use of multiple medicines by a patient for one or more conditions
