Optimizing Front-Door Sarcopenia Screening on the Acute Medical Unit: A Practical Framework for Frailty Management

Sarcopenia -the progressive, age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength -is common among older adults presenting as emergency medical admissions, yet it is rarely identified at the front door.In the Acute Medical Unit (AMU), acute sarcopenia is frequently worsened by systemic inflammation, enforced bed rest, and subclinical malnutrition, making it a significant driver of functional decline, prolonged hospital stays, and avoidable re-admissions.Despite its clear prognostic importance, formal sarcopenia screening is not yet part of routine acute triage in most units.This technical report describes a practical four-stage clinical framework using the validated SARC-F questionnaire (Strength, Assistance, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, Falls (a Sarcopenia screening Questionnaire)) alongside simple bedside physical tests -handgrip strength and the chair stand test -that can be realistically implemented during acute medical assessment.Early identification enables targeted nutritional support and structured mobility plans from the point of admission, helping to preserve function and improve outcomes for frail older patients.