We’ve now rolled out our new frailty icon in TrakCare for all patients aged 65 and over.
This is a significant improvement for both staff and patients as TrakCare’s red hexagon icon previously only indicated that a patient was living with frailty, without showing the degree (mild, moderate, or severe). It also didn’t reveal if a patient had been assessed for frailty unless they were already flagged as frail.
Now, every patient aged 65 and over will have a new icon, prompting a quick Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) questionnaire. The icon uses colour coding for clarity: green for non-frail, amber for mildly frail, and red for moderate to severely frail. If a patient has been scored on a previous admission, their score will carry over, but staff can update it if their condition changes.
As our population ages, more older adults are accessing healthcare. However, not all are frail, which means it’s crucial to identify those who need extra support. Understanding the degree of frailty helps staff tailor their approach, focus on realistic medicine, and ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time.
Dr Helen McKee, Care for the Elderly consultant, said: “This change brings about a number of benefits for staff. There’s no extra paperwork as everything is digital. Frailty scores carry over to future admissions, saving time and ensuring continuity.
“The right teams can get involved earlier, improving patient care from the outset. The Frailty Network and site-specific leads will help with the rollout, and many staff are already familiar with the process.
“For patients, the change supports earlier recognition of people living with frailty. It enables comprehensive geriatric assessment in the most appropriate setting, in line with realistic medicine, and ensures specialist teams can support those who need it most, even if they are under the care of other specialties.”
If you work with patients aged 65 and over, please ensure you complete the TrakCare Clinical Frailty Scale questionnaire for every eligible patient. Your input is vital for delivering the best possible care, supporting early recognition, and ensuring that each patient receives the right support at the right time.
For questions or feedback about the new icon, contact the Frailty Network at Frailty.Network@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk.
