Providing fall prevention services in the emergency department: Is it effective? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the effects of fall prevention services initiated in the emergency department (ED) to support patients after discharge.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Analysis of pooled data used random-effects modelling with results presented as a risk ratio (RR).

Cost analysis of a brief intervention for the prevention of falls after discharge from an emergency department.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: There is considerable uncertainty around the cost-effectiveness of interventions for preventing secondary falls in older people presenting to emergency departments (ED). The objective was to complete an economic evaluation of a brief educational ED intervention aimed at preventing falls in older people post discharge.

Methods: A net cost analysis was completed from the health system perspective, using data from a controlled clinical trial, where an education intervention was compared to standard care.

Failure of falls risk screening tools to predict outcome: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare the Falls Risk for Older Persons-Community Setting Screening Tool (FROP Com Screen) with the Two-Item Screening Tool in older adults presenting to the ED.

Methods: A prospective cohort study, comparing the efficacy of the two falls risk assessment tools by applying them simultaneously in a sample of hospital ED presentations.

Results: Two hundred and one patients over 65 years old were recruited.

Controlled clinical trial exploring the impact of a brief intervention for prevention of falls in an emergency department.

Objective: To establish the effectiveness of a brief intervention to prevent falls in older patients presenting to the ED post-discharge.

Methods: The present study is a prospective single-centre, quasi-randomised controlled clinical trial of a brief targeted educational intervention to prevent falls. The intervention group received brief scripted education and were advised of their percentage probability of falling in the next 6 months.

Effects of emergency department Care Coordination Team referrals in older people presenting with a fall.

Objectives: The study aims to describe the characteristics of patients presenting to an ED with a fall and evaluate multidisciplinary Care Coordination Team (CCT) referrals on patient outcomes.

Methods: A single-centred retrospective analysis of electronic data at an adult tertiary hospital was performed using data from 2004 to 2009 of presentations for patients aged 65 years or over with a fall. The primary outcome measure was representation to hospital within 30 days, comparing patients referred to CCT and those not referred.