THE STRIDE INTERVENTION: RISK FACTOR ASSESSMENT AND CO-MANAGEMENT TO REDUCE SERIOUS FALL INJURIES

The STRIDE multifactorial intervention consists of a co-management model using a registered nurse Falls Care Manager (FCM) and includes four major components: 1) standardized assessment of 8 modifiable risk factors (medications, postural hypotension, feet and footwear, vision, vitamin D, osteoporosis, home safety, and strength, gait, and balance impairment); 2) use of structured visit notes, protocols, and algorithms to develop an individualized Falls Care Plan that is presented to the patient’s primary care physician for review, modification, and approval; 3) explanation of identified risks to the patient (and caregiver) with a description of suggested interventions, using motivational interviewing to elicit patient preferences and readiness to participate in treatments; and 4) ongoing monitoring of response to treatment and reassessment of risk factors at scheduled intervals with revision of the Care Plan as needed. Custom-designed falls care management software facilitates recommendation and note generation, tracking of care, and implementation of recommendations.