Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS)
Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale — 9-point clinical judgment tool for frailty. Predicts adverse outcomes and guides treatment decisions.
Score interpretation
CFS 1–3: Not frail
→ Standard care; routine health promotion; preventive measures
CFS 4: Vulnerable but not frail
→ Regular review; optimise chronic disease management; falls and functional assessment
CFS 5–6: Mild to moderate frailty
→ Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA); physiotherapy; optimise nutrition; medication review; discharge planning
CFS 7–8: Severe frailty
→ Goals of care discussion; DNACPR consideration; specialist palliative review; carer support; avoid futile interventions
CFS 9: Terminal illness
→ Palliative care; symptom management; advance care planning; end-of-life pathway
Interpretation bands for the CFS. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Rockwood K, et al. A global clinical measure of fitness and frailty in elderly people. CMAJ. 2005;173(5):489-495.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Bisoprolol (Heart Failure in Elderly) · Selective beta-1 blocker
- Sodium Valproate (Epilepsy in Elderly) · Antiepileptic
- Sertraline (Elderly) · SSRI Antidepressant
- Mirtazapine (Elderly) · NaSSA Antidepressant
- Quetiapine (Elderly — Dementia Caution) · Atypical Antipsychotic
- Lorazepam (Elderly — Short-Term Use) · Benzodiazepine
- Sepsis Screening and Sepsis Six · UK Sepsis Trust; NICE NG51; Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021
- Unintentional Weight Loss Workup · NICE NG12; BSG
- Chronic Fatigue Workup · NICE NG206; BMJ Best Practice
- Lymphadenopathy Workup · NICE NG12; BMJ Best Practice
- Pre-op Medical Clearance · NICE NG45; ESC 2022
- Secondary Hypertension Workup · NICE NG136; ESH 2023
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.