A new study of Australian inpatients is the first to use both cost and intervention-effect data from a randomized controlled trial to prevent falls in hospitals. Two patient education models were tested on 1,206 participants in acute care wards. Both models added multimedia education to usual care, and one group also received follow-up by a trained healthcare professional.… Read-more
Kaiser Permanente Northern California introduced a multifocal clinical performance improvement initiative in 2005. The initiative began in December 2005 and achieved 95% regional compliance within a few months. Inpatient falls was 1 of nearly 20 care quality indicators in the study, including pressure ulcers, hospital-acquired infections, and surgical safety. The program involved central and regional leadership and education and support of staff by conference call.… Read-more
A 5-year study of 4,026 elderly post-acute rehabilitation patients examined whether specific qualities characterized patients at high risk of falling. Elderly patients who are injured by falling have poor functional recovery and increased use of health services; preventing falls in this population would benefit patients and reduce healthcare costs. The study evaluated patient characteristics, including health, functional status, and cognitive and affective status.… Read-more
Researchers addressed falls in older patients following hospital discharge in 2 Australian studies.1,2 The circumstances surrounding falls1 and the impact of a patient education program2 were determined in newly discharged participants. Of 1,206 participants in the first study, there were 276 falls, 54.3 % of which were injurious. Data regarding circumstances were available for 255 falls.… Read-more
A recent prospective study evaluated if vestibular asymmetry, vibration sense, balance performance, and postural sway predicted falls among elderly people. Elderly people often experience dizziness, a common cause of falling. Dizziness in the elderly is often benign and may be due to benign positional paroxysmal vertigo or multisensory dizziness. Though asymmetric vestibular function is overrepresented in elderly people with hip and wrist fractures, vestibular disorders may be unrecognized as a cause of dizziness and falling.… Read-more
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