Can an Emergency Department-Initiated Intervention Prevent Subsequent Falls and Health Care Use in Older Adults? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Study objective

We determine whether an emergency department (ED)-initiated fall-prevention intervention can reduce subsequent fall-related and all-cause ED visits and hospitalizations in older adults.

Methods

The Geriatric Acute and Post-acute Fall Prevention intervention was a randomized controlled trial conducted from January 2018 to October 2019. Participants at 2 urban academic EDs were randomly assigned (1:1) to an intervention or usual care arm. Intervention participants received a brief, tailored, structured, pharmacy and physical therapy consultation in the ED, with automated communication of the recommendations to their primary care physicians.

Results

Of 284 study-eligible participants, 110 noninstitutionalized older adults (≥65 years) with a recent fall co

SUBMITTER: Goldberg EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7686139 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature