Falls Prevention Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 2 Issue 6

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Falls prevention: new approaches to integrated falls prevention services

Source: NHS Confederation

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Date of publication: May 2012

Publication type: Briefing

In a nutshell:  Recommendations following a NHS Confederation and the Ambulance Service Network workshop on falls prevention strategies for the older population.  Suggests new approaches to the commissioning and provision of comprehensive, integrated falls prevention services and shows that a focus on prevention and early intervention through joint working has benefits for the whole health and social care system, and that not taking action may soon become unaffordable.

Length of publication : 8 pages

Falls awareness week is here – 18th-22nd June

Source: AgeUK

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Date of publication: June 2012

Publication type: Web article

In a nutshell: This week is Falls Awareness week, for more information about this check the AgeUK website (via the above link).

Length of publication: 1 page

Nursing Times Learning launches new online Falls Prevention and Management unit

Source: Nursing Times.net, 2012

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Date of publication: May 2012

Publication type: Web article

In a nutshell:  The new online Falls Prevention and Management learning unit aims to support nurses in reducing patients’ risk of falling and to help them understand the impact of falls on the individual and the factors that put patients at risk of falling. The learning unit is available free to all Nursing Times subscribers (£10 + VAT for non-subscribers). 

Length of publication : 1 page

Launch of e-Learning course on preventing falls in hospitals

Source: NHS e-Learning Support

Follow this link for the e-Leaning course 

Date of publication: May 2012

Publication type: e-Leaning course

In a nutshell: The aim of this course is to provide knowledge on preventing falls, to increase understanding of the impact of falls on patients and how to identify and act upon patient risk factors.  It has been developed primarily for registered nurses working in acute or community hospitals, but is also available to all NHS England staff through the ESR (Electronic staff record). 

Length of publication : n/a

A sister led project reduces the incidence of falls on hospital ward

Source: Nursing Times.net, 2012, 25th May

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Date of publication: May 2012

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell:  Article describes how a a ward sister at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust introduced a number of changes which reduced the number of  falls of patients with mobility problems owing to a history of alcohol misuse.

Length of publication : webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Tai chi compared to low level exercise in reducing community based falls: RCT

Source:  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2012, 60(5), p. 841-8

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: May 2012

Publication type: Randomised controlled trial

In a nutshell:  RCT compared the effectiveness of tai chi and low-level exercise in reducing falls in older adults; to determine whether mobility, balance, and lower limb strength improved and whether higher doses of tai chi resulted in greater effect.  Study found that there was no difference in falls rates between the groups, with falls reducing similarly (mean falls rate reduction of 58%) over the 17-month follow-up period. Strength and balance improved similarly in all groups over time.

Length of publication : 9 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Otago falls prevention exercises available as audio files

Source: Profane (Prevention of falls network) website

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Date of publication: 18th May 2012

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: There is strong evidence to show that the Otago Home Exercise programme for reducing falls is very cost-effective, but older people often find reading them very difficult, which may stop them continuing the exercises. They have therefore been made available in a variety of audio formats, including CD, mp3 and iPod, which can be downloaded and either played directly for burnt onto disc for ease of use.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: Please contact you local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Key publications (research) on medications, polypharmacy and falls prevention

Source: Profane website

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Date of publication: 20th March 2012

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: Repeated trials find taking multiple medications (four or more) increase the risk of falls in older people. Researchers in Tokyo determined that it was the number of medications rather than the illnesses they are designed to fight as being the important factor in geriatric patients, and there are certain medications especially that increase the risk of falls.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: Please contact you local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library

NHS exercise programmes for the elderly not necessarily evidence-based

Source: Royal College of Physicians website

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Date of publication: 27th March 2012

Publication type: Press release

In a nutshell: According to an RCP survey of over 1700 older people attending an NHS-run exercise programme for reducing falls, 96% felt the exercises were beneficial or quite beneficial and 95% felt very satisfied/satisfied. However, responses indicated that the interventions delivered were not completely evidence-based, and that follow-up classes for reducing falls in the community are unavailable.

Length of publication: 1 page