Health Care Providers Can Prevent Falls
Reported July 17, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — For one of the most common health problems in the elderly, prevention may be in the hands of health care providers.
In a recent study involving clinical practices in Connecticut, researchers found certain safety measures reduced fall-related injuries by nine percent. Researchers translate this number into 1,800 fewer emergency department visits or hospital admissions. The study panel looked at the rates of serious fall-related injuries like hip fractures, head injuries and joint dislocations and the fall-related use of medical care among persons over 70 years of age. They compared the rates after three years of safety measures with numbers before that time span. In addition to the reduction in fall-related injuries, they found safety interventions decreased fall-related use of medical services by 11 percent.
The safety interventions put into place included reduction in medications administered, management of postural hypotension, management of visual and foot problems, hazard reduction, and balance, gait and strength training.
Injuries resulting from falls account for 10 percent of emergency department visits and are major causes of health declines, placements in a nursing homes and restricted activity in the older population.
SOURCE: New England Journal of Medicine, 2008;359:252-261