Targeting Training on Geriatric Fall Assessment and Prevention Reduces Recurrent Falls

After implementation of a multimodal training intervention for emergency department staff, geriatric patients discharged after falls were less likely to have recurrent falls within 30 days.

Falls account for the majority of unintentional injury deaths in geriatric patients (Physician's First Watch May 7 2015). While multidisciplinary guidelines for geriatric fall assessment have been developed (https://www.acep.org/geriedguidelines), there is little evidence that their adoption improves patient outcomes.

In 2010, thirteen emergency departments (EDs) in France implemented a comprehensive multimodal staff training program that focused on dissemination of regional geriatric fall protocols via poster, newsletter, website, smartphone app, meetings, and a conference. These researchers retrospectively compared process and patient outcomes (e.g., geriatrician consultation, fall recurrence) before and after implementation of the trainin…

Reviewing Author

Ali S. Raja, MD, MBA, MPH, FACEP

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Board Member); American College of Healthcare Executives – Massachusetts (Board Member)

Ali S. Raja, MD, MBA, MPH, FACEP

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Board Member); American College of Healthcare Executives – Massachusetts (Board Member)

Targeting Training on Geriatric Fall Assessment and Prevention Reduces Recurrent Falls

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Reviewing Author