Practice question

Why is collateral history vital for older people with frailty?

With more older, frail people being admitted to acute hospital care it is vital to obtain their background history or ‘collateral history’ to support diagnosis. Such information gathering is an underused core clinical skill 

Wendy Mashlan
Posted
Obtaining a clear background history is essential, particularly in the presence of confusion, falls or social-related concerns. Picture shows a nurse speaking to an older woman lying in a hospital bed and an older relative holding their hand

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