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Slipping through the cracks: A cross-sectional study examining older adult emergency department patient fall history, post-fall treatment and prevention.
- Source :
-
Rhode Island medical journal (2013) [R I Med J (2013)] 2017 Dec 01; Vol. 100 (12), pp. 18-23. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Dec 01. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Falls are the leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits for fatal and non-fatal injuries among adults 65 years old and older. We aimed to better understand the fall history, risk for further falls, and actions taken to prevent further falls among this higher fall risk population. This cross-sectional study included older adults without cognitive impairment presenting to the Rhode Island Hospital ED from February to May 2017. Of the 76 participants, 35 self-reported no prior falls, and 41 self-reported at least one prior fall, of whom 20 fell on the day of ED presentation. Participants with vs. without self-reported prior falls were similar in age, gender, race, and substance use. Participants with prior falls scored lower on cognitive testing and had more comorbidities associated with falls. Only one quarter of those with prior falls reported making changes and few were evaluated by professionals to prevent future falls. This study highlights that older adult ED patients who sustain a fall are at higher risk for subsequent falls, and that greater fall prevention efforts are needed to protect this vulnerable group. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2017-12.asp].
- Subjects :
- Accidental Falls prevention & control
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Geriatric Assessment
Humans
Male
Medical History Taking
Needs Assessment
Quality Improvement
Rhode Island epidemiology
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Secondary Prevention
Self Report
Wounds and Injuries diagnosis
Wounds and Injuries epidemiology
Wounds and Injuries therapy
Accidental Falls statistics & numerical data
Emergency Service, Hospital standards
Emergency Service, Hospital statistics & numerical data
Wounds and Injuries etiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2327-2228
- Volume :
- 100
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Rhode Island medical journal (2013)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 29190838