Using the CURB-65 decision support tool in the community setting: a case study.

Abstract

A significant population in the UK aged 65 years and above is living with frailty. Strategic government and health service agenda has a clear priority: to increase preventative and proactive care for those with frailty and, where possible, care to be delivered at home to reduce inappropriate hospital admissions. To support this goal, a skilled and competent workforce is needed to assess, diagnose and plan evidence-based care. Decision support tools can be used by practitioners to evidence the care they deliver. In this case study, the decision support tool CURB-65 will be discussed along with its application in a community setting, while caring for a patient with community-acquired pneumonia.