Novel modification of the Reported Edmonton Frail Scale

OBJECTIVES: The Reported Edmonton Frail Scale (REFS) uses clock drawing as a measure of cognition. However, many patients in the acute hospital setting present with an inability to clock-draw. We considered an alternative method for assessing cognition based on a history of cognitive impairment. METHODS: We created a modified version of the REFS (mod-REFS), utilising the same domains as the REFS, in which a screening question of cognition substitutes the clock-drawing task. Data were collected from a prospective cohort study. RESULTS: Of 181 participants, frailty measured with either the REFS or the mod-REFS found equivalence. A comparison between clock drawing and cognitive question scores demonstrated a complete agreement for 152 patients (84%), a reduction in cognition score for 25 (14%) and an increase for 4 (2%). CONCLUSION: We suggest the mod-REFS will improve the frailty assessment in the acute hospital setting, overcoming the limitations associated with clock drawing.