Fall-related deaths among older adults in British Columbia: cause and effect of policy change

Source: Injury Prevention

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Date of publication: September 2019

 Publication type: journal article

In a nutshell: The British Columbia Coroners Service implemented a policy in 2010 advising the reclassification of underlying causes of deaths due to falls from ‘natural’ to ‘accidental’. This study investigates whether observed data trends reflect this change in practice, are artefacts of inconsistent reporting, or indicate a true increase in fall-related deaths.

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.

 

 

Reducing falls can help trusts improve patient experience and reduce costs

Source: NHS Improvement, 2017

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Date of publication: July 2017

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: This report from NHS Improvement provides a picture of the scale of inpatient falls and the benefits to the NHS if the rate in hospitals was reduced. It followed the successful completion of their collaboration between 19 trusts to adopt improvement methodologies and creating a learning community to discuss changes. Results include the observation that older patients represent 77% of total falls, but 87% of total costs – reducing this group by around 25-30% could result in annual savings of up to £170m.

Length of publication: 1 page

Pilot Testing Fall TIPS (Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety)

Source: The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 2017, online

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Date of publication: June 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Patient falls during an acute hospitalization cause injury, reduced mobility, and increased costs. The laminated paper Fall TIPS Toolkit (Fall TIPS) provides clinical decision support at the bedside by linking each patient’s fall risk assessment with evidence-based interventions. Strategies were needed to integrate this evidence into clinical practice.

Length of publication: 1 page

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.

Falls and fractures: consensus statement

Source: Government website, 2017

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Date of publication: January 2017

Publication type: Guidance

In a nutshell: Public Health England have published new guidance on falls and fractures around supporting commissioning for prevention. It outlines approaches to interventions and activities helping to prevent falls and fractures to improve health outcomes for older people

Spinal mobility and alignment leading to lower QoL and falling

Source: Gait & Posture, 2017, Volume 53 p. 98-103

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Date of publication: March 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Spinal deformities can affect quality of life (QOL) and risk of falling, but no studies have explored the relationships of spinal mobility and sagittal alignment of spine and the lower extremities simultaneously. Purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship of those postural parameters to QOL and risk of falling. Forward-stooped posture and knee-flexion deformity could be important indicator of lower QOL. Moreover, limited extension in the lumbar spine could be a useful screening examination for fall prevention in the elderly.

Length of publication: 5 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.

Changes in physical activity, sedentary time and risk of falling

Source: Preventive Medicine, 2017, Vol 95 p. 103-109

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Date of publication: February 2017

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Falling significantly affects quality of life, morbidity, and mortality among older adults. This study sought to evaluate the prospective association between sedentary time, physical activity, and falling among post-menopausal women aged 50–79 years recruited to the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study between 1993 and 1998 in the US. It followed recreational physical activity, sitting, sleeping and lean body mass. Falls per year were assessed annually. It found that physically active lifestyles increased falling amongst post-menopausal women. Additional fall prevention strategies, such as balance and resistance training, are needed to prevent diseases caused by inactivity.

Length of publication: 6 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.

East Lancs Falls Response Service…keeping 900 patients out of hospital

Source: The Academy of NHS Fabulous Stuff

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Date of publication: November 2016

Publication type: Website news article

In a nutshell: Based at Burnley Ambulance Station in East Lancashire, an Occupational Therapist (Rachel Bedwell) and North West Ambulance Service paramedic (Gail Smith) respond to 999 and 111 calls triaged as ‘Green code – Falls with no apparent injury’.

The Falls Response Service – a one-of-a-kind in England – has attended 1,272 calls in the past 18 months and the intervention of a qualified OT has kept over 70% of patients in their own home rather than being transported to A&E.

Length of publication: 1 page

CSP launches updated Falls Prevention Economic Model online

Source: Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, 2016, online

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Date of publication: August 2016

Publication type: Website news item

In a nutshell: The latest version of the Falls Prevention Economic Model, with fresh data and research, is now live on the CSP’s website. It shows that across the UK there is potential to save 160,000 falls each year, equating to a cost saving of £25.2 million to NHS services. The CSP has produced a detailed guide to accompany the relaunched model. The guide includes examples of people using the model and is also available on the society’s website.

Length of publication: 1 page