The proportional increase of the ageing population results in an ever growing percentage of elderly among hospitalised patients. Older patients have complex medical, social and psychological problems that could benefit from coordinated care or case management. Identification of high-risk older adults is mandatory to initiate a liaison geriatric management program. A simple screening tool is presented to identify older people at the time of admission who are at increased risk of adverse health outcomes. The instrument was validated during a period of 6 months when all (n = 618) older adults (> 70 year) hospitalised in non-geriatric departments of a general hospital were screened. This "Variable Indicative of Placement risk" (VIP) shows a good sensitivity (81%) and specificity (86%) and has a high Negative Predictive Value (97%). Furthermore, it shows a significant positive correlation with the length of stay (p < 0.001). The questionnaire turned out to be a very useful tool in the emergency department as well as in other wards because it probes premorbid frailty components with three simple questions. Due to its simplicity a nurse without geriatric training can complete it. Patients who are not at risk of an adverse outcome are easily recognised. A positive score indicates loss of functional independence and a risk of increased length of stay. Further geriatric assessment and intervention seem then appropriate.