[Trial of the GeriNOT screening tool : Identification of geriatric risk potentials on admission to hospital care from the age of 70 years].

Background: Geriatric-specific characteristics influence patient-relevant outcomes of inpatient hospital care in patients aged 70 years and older: prolonged length of stay, complications, increase in utilization of required services as well as mortality rates.

Objective: The screening tool GeriNOT, identification of geriatric risk potential with 7 items, of which mobility and cognition are double-weighted, score 9 points, was tested for its predictive content and diagnostic quality.

Material And Methods: Diagnostic study from a retrospective, bicentric complete survey in all types of admission from 70 years with 2541 patient cases. Regression analyses in linked samples of the 7 items in GeriNOT and as noncombined end points: prolonged length of stay, complications, increase in need-based service at discharge and death.

Results: Mean age ± SD: 77.0 ± 6.4 years. ROC analyses report at a cut-off value calculated using the Youden index of ≥ 4 points in 2541 cases: increase in need-based service at discharge (AUC = 0.693, 95% CI = 0.663-0.723, sensitivity 75.2%, specificity 59.7%), complications (AUC = 0.662, 95% CI = 0.636-0.688, sensitivity 64.2%, specificity 61.6%) and death (AUC = 0.734, 95% CI = 0.682-0.786, sensitivity 76.4%, specificity 57.5%). Possibly suitable for use as screening to identify geriatric risk potentials at a cut-off of ≥ 4 points.

Discussion: Provide an initial filter screening with regard to mobility. Such identification could provide the involved persons with the opportunity for an improved treatment outcome by adapting the inpatient process. Prospective validation of GeriNOT needed.