Falls prevention research shows innovation is required
Falls are a serious problem for older adults, many of which have been shown to experience a fall in hospital, resulting in injury and increased length of stay. There is little evidence that shows how best to prevent falls in hospitals.
The intervention included a risk assessment of falls, staff and patient education, drug review, modified bedside and ward environments, an exercise program and alarms for selected patients.
After three months, no effect on falls was found. The length of stay (average of seven days) was shorter than in previous studies which have found such interventions to be effective. According to Dr Sherrington, more innovative approaches are required to prevent falls in short-stay wards.
The paper, Cluster randomised trial of a targeted multifactorial intervention to prevent falls among older people in hospital, was published in the British Medical Journal in April 2008.