Reduce Fall Rates Research Articles

Reducing falls in the inpatient hospital setting.

This quality improvement project's objective was to introduce and assess a process change to potentially reduce fall rates on an inpatient medical-surgical unit. The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice was used to guide the implementation of this project. This project was piloted over a 3-month period from October to December 2016 on a 38-bed medical-surgical unit at a community-based hospital in the southeastern United States. Prior to the implementation of this quality improvement project, staff received falls education using a modified pre-existing falls prevention protocol, with a focus on increasing the consistency of bed/chair alarm use for patients identified as being at risk for falling. Preintervention and postintervention fall rates were statistically compared to assess for change in practice. The average monthly preintervention fall rate was 8.67 falls/1000 patient days, as compared with 5.07 falls postintervention, which resulted in an overall decrease of 44.5% in the average number of falls per month. This project illustrated that education and a consistent risk stratification for bed/chair alarm use may be an important component of an effective evidence-based falls prevention program.

A Sustainability Oriented and Mentored Approach to Implementing a Fall Prevention Guideline in Acute Care Over 2 Years.

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a mentored guideline implementation (Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario Prevention of Falls and Falls Injuries in the Older Adult Best Practice Guideline) focused on enhancing sustainability in reducing fall rates and number of serious falls and the experience of staff in three acute care hospitals. The National Health Service (NHS) Sustainability Model was used to guide the study. Interviews and focus groups were held with 82 point-of-care professional staff, support staff, volunteers, project leaders, clinical leaders, and senior leaders. Study results supported the importance of the factors in the NHS model for sustainability of the guideline in these practice settings. There were no statistically significant decreases in the overall fall rate and number of serious falls. The results supported strategies of participating hospitals to become senior friendly organizations and provided opportunities to enhance staff collaboration with patients and families.

Effectiveness of patient-centered interventions on falls in the acute care setting compared to usual care: a systematic review.

Unintentional falls during hospitalization remain a concern for healthcare institutions globally despite implementation of various improvement strategies. Although the incidence of falls has been of heightened focus for many years and numerous studies have been done evaluating different approaches for fall prevention, fall rates remain high in acute care settings. Patient fall risk scales tend to address only particular intrinsic and extrinsic factors but do not adequately assess a patient's current fall risk status, subsequently warranting more patient-centered risk assessments and interventions. To evaluate the effectiveness of patient-centered interventions on falls in the acute care setting. All adult patients admitted to medical or surgical acute care units for any condition or illness. Patient-centered intervention strategies to reduce falls compared to usual care. Randomized control trials. Primary outcome: fall rates or number of falls. Secondary outcome: fall-related injuries. A comprehensive search strategy aimed to find relevant published and unpublished quantitative, English language studies from the inception of databases through July 30, 2016 was undertaken. Databases searched included: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. A search for unpublished studies was also performed using ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, the New York Academy of Medicine and the Virginia Henderson e-Repository. Reviewers evaluated the included studies for methodological quality using the standardized critical appraisal instrument form from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Quantitative data were extracted from papers included in the review using the standardized data extraction form from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity among the included studies, a meta-analysis was not possible. The findings of this review have been presented in narrative form. Five randomized control trials were included. Three studies demonstrated statistically significant reductions in fall rates (p < 0.04) while two studies showed no difference in fall rates between groups (p > 0.5). In the three studies that demonstrated reduced fall rates, personalized care plans and patient-centered education based on patients' fall risk results were utilized. Three studies measured the secondary outcome of fall-related injuries; however, results demonstrated no difference in fall-related injuries between groups (p > 0.5). Evidence of this review indicates patient-centered interventions in addition to tailored patient education may have the potential to be effective in reducing falls and fall rates in acute care hospitals. There is limited high quality evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of patient-centered fall prevention interventions so novel solutions are urgently needed and warrant more rigorous, larger scale randomized trials for more robust estimates of effect.

Evaluation of Sensor Technology to Detect Fall Risk and Prevent Falls in Acute Care

Sensor technology that dynamically identifies hospitalized patients' fall risk and detects and alerts nurses of high-risk patients' early exits out of bed has potential for reducing fall rates and preventing patient harm. During Phase 1 (August 2014-January 2015) of a previously reported performance improvement project, an innovative depth sensor was evaluated on two inpatient medical units to study fall characteristics. In Phase 2 (April 2015-January 2016), a combined depth and bed sensor system designed to assign patient fall probability, detect patient bed exits, and subsequently prevent falls was evaluated. Fall detection depth sensors remained in place on two medicine units; bed sensors used to detect patient bed exits were added on only one of the medicine units. Fall rates and fall with injury rates were evaluated on both units. During Phase 2, the designated evaluation unit had 14 falls, for a fall rate of 2.22 per 1,000 patient-days-a 54.1% reduction compared with the Phase 1 fall rate. The difference in rates from Phase 1 to Phase 2 was statistically significant (z = 2.20; p = 0.0297). The comparison medicine unit had 30 falls-a fall rate of 4.69 per 1,000 patient-days, representing a 57.9% increase as compared with Phase 1. A fall detection sensor system affords a level of surveillance that standard fall alert systems do not have. Fall prevention remains a complex issue, but sensor technology is a viable fall prevention option.

Advanced Practice Nurse-Led Statewide Collaborative to Reduce Falls in Hospitals.

Thirty-eight hospitals participated in falls prevention team training, followed by coaching and mentoring over 3 months to develop unit-based initiatives to reduce falls. Initiatives centered on fall risk assessment, rounding, or postfall assessment. Paired t test of the pre-/postintervention fall rates of 23 of the hospitals revealed reduced fall rates (P < .01). The estimated mean decrease was 1.7 falls per 1000 patient days (95% confidence limits of 0.7-2.7).

Central Nervous System Medication Burden and Serious Falls in Older Nursing Home Residents.

To examine the association between CNS medication burden and serious falls in those with a recent fall history. Nested-case control study; cases matched to four controls by age, gender, and date. US nursing homes. 5,556 residents age ≥65 with a recent fall history admitted to a nursing home between 1/1-9/30/2010 and followed until discharge, death, or December 31, 2010. Outcome was serious falls as per Medicare Part A and B ICD/CPT codes. CNS burden, from Medicare Part D data, was calculated by dividing the daily dose of each CNS agent (i.e., specific antidepressants, antiepileptic, antipsychotic, benzodiazepine and opioid receptor agonists) received during the 6 days prior to the index (outcome) date by the minimum effective geriatric daily dose and summing the results across medications. There were 367 cases and 1,468 matched controls. Those taking 3 + CNS standardized daily doses were more likely to have a serious fall than those not taking any CNS medications (Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.83; 95% confidence interval 1.35-2.48). There was no significant difference in fall risk for residents taking >0 to <3 CNS standardized daily doses compared to residents taking no CNS medications (Adjusted Odds Ratio 0.85; 95% CI 0.63-1.15). CNS medication burden, approximately 3 + standardized daily doses, was associated with an increased risk of serious falls in nursing home residents with recent fall. Clinicians should be vigilant for opportunities to discontinue or decrease the doses of individual CNS medications and/or consider non-pharmacological alternatives. Such interventions that reduce use of CNS medications in nursing homes could reduce fall rates but further research is needed to confirm this.

Improving Patient Safety Through Video Monitoring.

Falls are a major safety issue in rehabilitation settings. Patients receive mixed messages-try to be as independent as possible, but don't do anything in your room without calling for assistance. Despite the use of multiple falls interventions at this facility, the fall rate remained high. To impact this rate, the facility implemented a video monitoring system. This system allows for patients at risk for falling to be monitored from a remote location. The monitor technician is able to speak to the patient directly and/or contact staff members to respond to the room, preventing a fall. Sequential cohort design. Fifteen video monitoring units were installed on high-risk units in a 115-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility. Total falls and falls rates were tracked and reported pre- and postimplementation. Over a 21-month period prior to implementing the video monitoring system, the average hospital-wide rate of falls was 6.34 per 1,000 patient-days (SD = 1.7488). After a year of usage, that average has decreased to 5.099 falls per 1,000 patient-days (SD = 1.524). The reduction in falls was statistically significant. In addition, there have been significant cost savings by reducing sitter usage. Video monitoring can improve patient safety by decreasing falls; decreasing sitter usage and cost; and improving patient, family, and staff satisfaction. Falls are a significant issue in rehabilitation settings, and current fall prevention strategies fall short of reducing fall rates. Implementation of new video monitoring technology can help reduce fall rates in inpatient rehabilitation settings.

ISQUA16-1327ESTIMATING THE EFFECTS OF FALL PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS BY ADJUSTING FOR THE RISK OF FALLING WITH A PROPENSITY SCORE

The hospital fall prevention programs that reduced fall rate included fall-risk assessments, multifactorial interventions, post fall follow-up, and integration with electronic records (Spelstra, 2012). However, patients who have received multifactorial interventions and patients who have not have different levels of fall-risk. This hampers comparison of patients who have received interventions and patients who have not and it precludes a determination of the effectiveness of individual interventions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of fall prevention interventions by adjusting for the fall-risk with a propensity score. This study was conducted at an acute-care hospital with 716 beds. Electronic medical records at this hospital were linked to the Fall Risk …

Addition of a non-immersive virtual reality component to treadmill training to reduce fall risk in older adults (V-TIME): a randomised controlled trial

Age-associated motor and cognitive deficits increase the risk of falls, a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Because of the significant ramifications of falls, many interventions have been proposed, but few have aimed to prevent falls via an integrated approach targeting both motor and cognitive function. We aimed to test the hypothesis that an intervention combining treadmill training with non-immersive virtual reality (VR) to target both cognitive aspects of safe ambulation and mobility would lead to fewer falls than would treadmill training alone. We carried out this randomised controlled trial at five clinical centres across five countries (Belgium, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK). Adults aged 60-90 years with a high risk of falls based on a history of two or more falls in the 6 months before the study and with varied motor and cognitive deficits were randomly assigned by use of computer-based allocation to receive 6 weeks of either treadmill training plus VR or treadmill training alone. Randomisation was stratified by subgroups of patients (those with a history of idiopathic falls, those with mild cognitive impairment, and those with Parkinson's disease) and sex, with stratification per clinical site. Group allocation was done by a third party not involved in onsite study procedures. Both groups aimed to train three times per week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting about 45 min and structured training progression individualised to the participant's level of performance. The VR system consisted of a motion-capture camera and a computer-generated simulation projected on to a large screen, which was specifically designed to reduce fall risk in older adults by including real-life challenges such as obstacles, multiple pathways, and distracters that required continual adjustment of steps. The primary outcome was the incident rate of falls during the 6 months after the end of training, which was assessed in a modified intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all patients who were assigned a treatment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01732653. Between Jan 6, 2013, and April 3, 2015, 302 adults were randomly assigned to either the treadmill training plus VR group (n=154) or treadmill training alone group (n=148). Data from 282 (93%) participants were included in the prespecified, modified intention-to-treat analysis. Before training, the incident rate of falls was similar in both groups (10·7 [SD 35·6] falls per 6 months for treadmill training alone vs 11·9 [39·5] falls per 6 months for treadmill training plus VR). In the 6 months after training, the incident rate was significantly lower in the treadmill training plus VR group than it had been before training (6·00 [95% CI 4·36-8·25] falls per 6 months; p<0·0001 vs before training), whereas the incident rate did not decrease significantly in the treadmill training alone group (8·27 [5·55-12·31] falls per 6 months; p=0·49). 6 months after the end of training, the incident rate of falls was also significantly lower in the treadmill training plus VR group than in the treadmill training group (incident rate ratio 0·58, 95% CI 0·36-0·96; p=0·033). No serious training-related adverse events occurred. In a diverse group of older adults at high risk for falls, treadmill training plus VR led to reduced fall rates compared with treadmill training alone. European Commission.

Prevalence of Anticholinergic Medication Use in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.

Evaluate the prevalence of anticholinergic medication use in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Cross-sectional, retrospective chart review. The Basics at Jan Werner PACE, Amarillo, Texas. PACE participants (n = 128) and long-term care residents (n = 105) 65 years of age and older. The primary outcome was percentage of prescribed medications with anticholinergic properties and risk factors associated with prescribing: study site, gender, race, age, and creatinine clearance. Anticholinergic medication prescribing was significantly lower in the PACE program (2.3% of total medications vs. 3.9%; P < 0.05) as well as total medication use (12.1 medications per subject vs. 20.8; P < 0.05 in the long-term care environment). Only the long-term care study site had a significant association with anticholinergic prescribing (odds ratio = 5.04, confidence interval 2.71-9.38). PACE participants also had lower Anticholinergic Risk Scale scores (score of 0, 60.2% PACE vs. 16.2%), reduced fall rates (23.8 per month PACE vs. 66.9), and similar hospitalization rates (5.4 per month PACE vs. 5.7). PACE participants were prescribed fewer medications and had lower anticholinergic burden, which potentially lowers their risk of adverse effects. These data support the PACE interdisciplinary model by demonstrating the benefit of team care in appropriate use of medications. It provides a potential blueprint to organizations aimed at reducing potentially inappropriate medication prescribing in older adults.

Determinants of hospital fall rate trajectory groups

Patient falls in acute care hospitals represent a significant patient safety concern. Although cross-sectional studies have shown that fall rates vary widely between acute care hospitals, it is not clear whether hospital fall rates remain consistent over time. The aim of this study was to determine whether hospitals can be categorized into fall rate trajectory groups over time and to identify nurse staffing and hospital characteristics associated with hospital fall rate trajectory groups. We conducted a 54-month (July 2006-December 2010) longitudinal study of U.S. acute care general hospitals participating in the National Database for Nursing Quality Indicators (2007). We used latent class growth modeling to categorize hospitals into groups based on their long-term fall rates. Nurse staffing and hospital characteristics associated with membership in the highest hospital fall rate group were identified using logistic regression. A sample of 1,529 hospitals (mean fall rate of 3.65 per 1,000 patient days) contributed data to the analysis. Latent class growth modeling findings classified hospital into three groups based on fall rate trajectories: consistently high (mean fall rate of 4.96 per 1,000 patient days), consistently medium (mean fall rate of 3.63 per 1,000 patient days), and consistently low (mean fall rate of 2.50 per 1,000 patient days). Hospitals with higher total nurse staffing (odds ratio [OR] = 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.85, 0.99]), Magnet status (OR = 0.49, 95% CI [0.35, 0.70]), and bed size greater than 300 beds (OR = 0.70, 95% CI [0.51, 0.94]) were significantly less likely to be categorized in the "consistently high" fall rate group. Over this 54-month period, hospitals were categorized into three groups based on long-term fall rates. Hospital-level factors differed among these three groups. This suggests that there may be hospitals in which "best practices" for fall prevention might be identified. In addition, administrators may be able to reduce fall rates by maintaining greater nurse staffing ratios as well as fostering an environment consistent with that of Magnet hospitals.

AB1122 Effects of Proprioceptive Exercises in Rheumatoid Arthritis Postmenopausal Women: GAIT Biomechanical Parameters Related with Falls, Functional Capacity and Disease Activity (Preliminary Results)

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients1 and postmenopausal women2 showed an increased fall risk. Research pointed to some gait biomechanical parameters related with falls (GBPRF)3 and found differences in these parameters between...

Abstract P428: Effects of Tai Chi on Physical Function and Quality of Life in Chronic Stroke

Background: Poor physical function and quality of life are ubiquitous post-stroke. Effective interventions to improve physical function and quality of life for stroke survivors are critically needed. Objective: Examine the effect of a Tai Chi (TC) intervention on physical function and quality of life. Methods: In a single-blind randomized clinical trial community-dwelling stroke survivors, aged ≥ 50 years and ≥ 3 months post-stroke, were assigned to: Yang style 24-posture TC (n=53), SilverSneakers® (SS, n=44) strength and range of movement exercise, or Usual Care (UC, n=48) for 12 weeks. TC and SS attended a 1-hour class 3 times/week, while UC had weekly phone calls. Standardized measures for Physical Function were the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Fall Rates and 2-Minute StepTest; and for Quality of Life were the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: A total of 145 stroke survivors (47% women, mean age=70 years, time post-stroke=3 years, ischemic stroke=66%, hemiparesis=73%) enrolled. During the intervention, TC participants had 2/3 fewer falls (n=5 falls), than the SS (n=14 falls) and UC (n=15 falls) groups (χ2=5.60, p=0.06). All groups had improvements in the SPPB score (F 1,142 =85.29, p&lt;0.01), after the 12-week intervention. Post-hoc tests following a significant interaction for the 2-Minute StepTest (F 2,142 =4.69, p&lt;0.01) indicated TC (t 53 =2.45, p=0.02) and SS (t 44 =4.63, p&lt;0.01) groups had significantly better aerobic endurance over time, though the UC group did not (t 48 =1.58, p=0.12). All groups reported better perceived physical (SF-36 PCS, F 1,142 =4.15, p=0.04) and mental health (SF-36 MCS, F 1,142 =15.60, p&lt;0.01), after the intervention. There were no significant within group changes in perceived physical health (p&gt;0.05), while significant improvements in perceived mental health (p &lt; 0.05) were observed within all groups. No significant changes in depressive symptoms or sleep quality were observed (p&gt;0.05). Attrition was 10% (n=14), and intervention adherence rates were 85%. Conclusions: Goals of stroke rehabilitation are to prevent disability, improve physical function and quality of life. TC and SS led to improved aerobic endurance, and both are suitable community-based programs that may aid in stroke recovery and community reintegration. Our data suggest that a 12-week TC intervention may be more effective in reducing fall rates than SS or UC. Future studies examining the effectiveness of TC to reduce fall rates; and improve physical function and quality of life for community-dwelling stroke survivors are recommended.

Effect of Tai Chi on Physical Function, Fall Rates and Quality of Life Among Older Stroke Survivors

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of a 12-week Tai Chi (TC) intervention on physical function and quality of life. DesignSingle-blind, randomized controlled trial. SettingGeneral community. ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling survivors of stroke (N=145; 47% women; mean age, 70y; time poststroke: 3y; ischemic stroke: 66%; hemiparesis: 73%) who were aged ≥50 years and were ≥3 months poststroke. InterventionsYang style 24-posture short-form TC (n=53), strength and range of movement exercises (SS) (n=44), or usual care (UC) (n=48) for 12 weeks. The TC and SS groups attended a 1-hour class 3 times per week, whereas the UC group had weekly phone calls. Main Outcome MeasuresPhysical function: Short Physical Performance Battery, fall rates, and 2-minute step test; quality of life: Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. ResultsDuring the intervention, TC participants had two thirds fewer falls (5 falls) than the SS (14 falls) and UC (15 falls) groups (χ2=5.6, P=.06). There was a significant group by time interaction for the 2-minute step test (F2,142=4.69, P<.01). Post hoc tests indicated that the TC (t53=2.45, P=.02) and SS (t44=4.63, P<.01) groups had significantly better aerobic endurance over time, though not in the UC group (t48=1.58, P=.12). Intervention adherence rates were 85%. ConclusionsTC and SS led to improved aerobic endurance, and both are suitable community-based programs that may aid in stroke recovery and community reintegration. Our data suggest that a 12-week TC intervention was more effective in reducing fall rates than SS or UC interventions. Future studies examining the effectiveness of TC as a fall prevention strategy for community-dwelling survivors of stroke are recommended.

Drug cessation in complex older adults: time for action

general opinion is growing that drug cessation in complex older patients is warranted in certain situations. From a clinical viewpoint, drug cessation seems most warranted in four situations, i.e., falls, delirium, cognitive impairment and end-of-life situations. To date, little information about the effects of drug cessation in these four situations is available. to identify the effects and effectiveness of drug cessation on falls, delirium and cognitive impairment. For end-of-life situations, we reviewed cessation of inappropriate drug use. electronic databases were searched using MeSH terms and relevant keywords. Studies published in English were included if they evaluated the effects of drug cessation in older persons, aged ≥65 years, with falls, delirium or cognitive impairment; or cessation of inappropriate drug use in end-of-life situations. we selected seven articles for falls, none for delirium, two for cognition and two for end-of-life situations. Withdrawal of psychotropics reduced fall rate; a prescribing modification programme for primary care physicians reduced fall risk. Withdrawal of psychotropics and a systematic reduction of polypharmacy resulted in an improvement of cognition. Very little rigorous research has been conducted on reducing inappropriate medications in patients approaching end of life. little research has focussed on drug cessation. Available studies showed a beneficial impact of cessation of psychotropic drugs on falls and cognitive status. More research in this field is needed. The issue of systematic drug withdrawal in end-of-life cases is controversial, but is increasingly relevant in the face of rising numbers of older people of this clinical status.

Falls prevention education for older adults during and after hospitalization: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of patient education in reducing falls, promoting behavioural change and the uptake of prevention activities in older adults during and after hospitalization. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic search of five health science databases was performed up to November 2012. Studies that investigated patient education as a single intervention or in a multifactorial falls prevention programme in the hospital and/or post-discharge community settings, were eligible for inclusion. Standard meta-analysis methods were used to assess the effectiveness of patient education compared to usual care. Tests for heterogeneity, subgroup meta-analyses and a priori subgroup meta-analyses were performed for primary outcomes where appropriate. Primary outcomes were incidence of falls, falls-related injury and healthcare use due to falls. Secondary outcomes were mechanisms of behavioural change in falls prevention. Qualitative data were analysed by narrative review. Results: Falls prevention programmes that contained patient education were effective in reducing fall rates amongst hospital inpatients and post-discharge populations (risk ratio [RR] 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69 to 0.87), and in reducing the proportion of patients who became fallers in hospital (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.7 to 0.87). Patient education generally increased knowledge about falls and awareness of prevention strategies. The uptake of strategies may be dependent on the activities being targeted. Conclusion: Falls prevention education should be recommended for older adults while in hospital and following discharge. Falls education programmes should consider the use of intensive face-to-face patient education with multimedia materials in preference to provision of written information alone or brief amounts of interpersonal contact.

The Risk Factors for Impulsivity-Related Falls Among Hospitalized Older Adults

Falls among older adults are a common, preventable problem associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Impulsivity is a known risk factor for older adult falls; however, there is a gap in evidence demonstrating the unique risk factors associated with impulsivity related falls (IRF). The research explored the association between seven fall risk factors and impulsivity related falls in hospitalized older adults in a community hospital. This retrospective descriptive study analyzed the association between seven fall risk factors and IRF in hospitalized older adults. The sample (N = 233) included patients age 65 years and older who had a documented in-patient fall in 2008. Of the falls, 29.7% were classified as IRF. The mean age of patients with IRF was 78 years, with the median day of fall being Day 5 of hospitalization/rehabilitation admission. Logistic regression demonstrated that only inattention and cognitive impairment were significant risk factors for IRF. The incidence of IRF was 29.7%. Our findings also indicate that cognitive impairment and inattention are strongest predictors for IRF among usual risk factors. Early identification of the unique risk factors associated with IRF could improve identification and reduce fall rates among hospitalized older adults.

Outcomes and Challenges in Implementing Hourly Rounds to Reduce Falls in Orthopedic Units

Patient falls remain a common adverse event in acute care facilities. Findings from research into structured nursing rounds interventions (SNRIs) indicate promise as a fall prevention practice. Translating, adapting, and sustaining SNRI in real world clinical practices is an important next step. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of adapting and translating a SNRI to reduce the risk and incidence of patient falls on two orthopedic inpatient units. It was hypothesized that SNRI would reduce fall rates up to 1-year postintervention and that patient risk factors and documented SNRI activities would predict falls. Using a repeated measures design, fall rates and risk assessment data were collected at baseline, during the 12-week SNRI implementation, and 1-year following implementation. The adapted SNRI included hourly prescribed rounding activities documented on a study specific form. Medical records of patient falls were reviewed for each period. Focus groups were conducted with nurses' postintervention. Observed (probability) fall rates were 1.8%, 0.8%, and 1.1% for the three periods, respectively. Numbers of falls per 1,000 hospital days (incidence) were 4.5, 1.6, and 3.2 for the three periods. Mean fall risk assessment scores were 2.7 ± 1.1, 2.7 ± 1.1, and 2.5 ± 1.1 for the three periods. Fall rates declined during SNRI (borderline trend), yet 1-year follow-up rates drifted back toward baseline. SNRI dosage and fall risk scores did not predict fall rates. Patients who fell during the three periods were not at greatest risk. Nurses interpreted SNRI as an imposition and the documentation a burden. Findings illuminate the multiple challenges in translational research. SNRI appeared to reduce fall rates initially, but fidelity to the SNRI implementation and documentation was variable and fall reduction gains appeared lost 1 year later. Nurses expressed the importance of balancing intervention fidelity and individualizing patient interventions.

Falls in Older Adults

Falls are prevalent among older adults and can lead to injury, hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. Environmental hazards, medications, vision problems, and impairments in strength, gait, or balance can increase fall risk. A multifactorial fall-risk assessment including a fall history, physical exam, gait and balance evaluation, and environmental assessment is recommended for all older adults who present with a fall or problem with gait or balance. Multiple-component exercise programs, tai chi, vitamin D supplementation, withdrawal of psychotropic medications, and early cataract surgery have all been shown to reduce fall rates. Multifactorial interventions that include medication review, vision correction, management of orthostasis, environmental modification, and balance, strength, and gait training can also be beneficial in preventing falls.

Effectiveness of Intervention Programs In Preventing Falls: A Systematic Review of Recent 10 Years and Meta-Analysis

To examine the reported effectiveness of fall-prevention programs for older adults by reviewing randomized controlled trials from 2000 to 2009. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. A systematic literature search of articles was conducted using 5 electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and RefWorks), including articles describing interventions designed to prevent falls, in English with full text availability, from 2000 through 2009. Of a potential 227 studies, we identified 17 randomized controlled trials with a duration of intervention of at least 5 months of follow-up. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to assess the methodological qualities of the studies. We excluded unidentified study design, quasi-experimental studies, and/or studies that were nonspecific regarding inclusion criteria. Primary outcome measures were number of falls and fall rate. Methodological quality assessment included internal and external validity, reporting, and power. Data were extracted independently by 2 investigators and analyzed using a random-effects model. We analyzed the effectiveness of these fall intervention programs using their risk ratios (RR) in 2 single-intervention versus 15 multifactorial intervention trials, 3 nursing homes versus 14 community randomized controlled trials, and 8 Model 1 (initial intervention with subsequent follow up) versus 9 Model II (ongoing intervention throughout the follow-up) studies. The combined RR for the number of falls among 17 studies was 0.855 (z= -2.168; p= .030; 95% CI= 0.742-0.985; Q= 196.204, df= 16, P= .000, I(2)= 91.845), demonstrating that fall-prevention programs across the studies were effective by reducing fall rates by 14%, but with substantial heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis indicated that there was a significant fall reduction of 14% in multifactorial intervention (RR= 0.856, z= -2.039, P= .041) with no variation between multifactorial and single-intervention groups (Q= 0.002, P= .961), 55% in the nursing home setting (RR= 0.453, z= -9.366, P= .000) with significant variation between nursing home and community groups (Q= 62.788, P= .000), and no significant effect was gained by dividing studies into either in Model I or II. Sensitivity analysis found homogeneity (Q= 18.582, df= 12, P= .099, I(2)= 35.423) across studies with a 9% overall fall reduction (RR= 0.906, 95% CI= 0.853-0.963, z= -3.179, P= .001), including a fall-reduction rate of 10% in multifactorial intervention (RR= 0.904, z= -3.036, P= .002), 9% in community (RR= 0.909, z= -3.179, P= .001), and 12% in Model I (RR= 0.876, z= -3.534, P= .000) with no variations among all the groups. Meta regression suggested that the model fit explained 68.6% of the relevant variance. The meta-sensitivity analysis indicates that randomized controlled trials of fall-prevention programs conducted within the past 10 years (2000-2009) are effective in overall reduction of fall rates of 9% with a reduction of fall rates of 10% in multifactorial interventions, 9% in community settings, and 12% in Model I interventions (initial intervention efforts and then subsequent follow-up).