How does the Electronic Frailty Index Calculator work?

The calculator consists of 36 deficits adding up to a score of 1. The deficits are based on clinical terms with values. A frailty score is derived by dividing the number of deficits present by the total possible. For example, if a patient has 9 out of 36 deficits, the eFI score is 0.25.

The 36 deficits consist of:

Symptoms/Abnormal lab values and disability, for example dizziness, memory and cognitive values, visual impairment.
Disease deficits, for example Respiratory Disease, Arthritis, Hypertension.
Note - Frailty is classified using the following criteria: Fit is equal to or under 0-12, Mild between 0.13 and <= 0.24. Moderate between 0.25 <= 0.36 and Severe is 0.36 or over.

For more information see British Geriatrics Society.

Training Tip - The calculator is based on clinical terms, so if you receive a letter from Accident and Emergency stating that a patient has had a fall and the fall is not recorded correctly, the patient may have an underestimated frailty score.