Citation

Ageron FX, Ricard C, Perrin-Besson S, Picot F, Dumont O, Cabillic S, Haesevoet M, Dalmon P, Gaillard C, Cezard O, Belle L, Couturier P. Acad. Emerg. Med. 2016; 23(9): 1031-1039.

Affiliation

Clinic of Geriatric Medicine, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/acem.12989

PMID

27144990

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Fall-related visits to emergency departments (EDs) are common among older individuals. We aim to assess effectiveness of a healthcare intervention program for the management of elderly patients admitted to EDs after a fall.

METHODS: Using a before-after observation method, we investigated ED healthcare staff practices related to fall-related injuries in 2010 (period 1) and 2012 (period 2) in 13 centers participating in the Northern French Alps Emergency Network. Following the identification of initial weaknesses, several information and training tools were introduced between the two periods to improve patient management. All individuals aged 75 years or over who presented to an ED after a fall were included in the study. We reviewed the completeness and quality of medical records during both periods and compared the rate of clinical-paraclinical check-ups performed, geriatric evaluation/assessment in the ED, and the 1-month recurrence of visits to the ED for the same reason.

RESULTS: During period 1, 2425 falls were recorded, while 2684 were reported in period 2. The 2012 medical charts contained significantly more information about risk factors than those of 2010. An ECG (64% vs 53%; p<0.001), biological check-up (65% vs 57%; p<0.001), balance, orthostatic hypotension, and cognitive impairment tests were more often performed in 2012. There was no change in the hospitalization rate, although short-duration hospitalization in the ED was more frequent in 2012. Geriatrists were more often consulted by patients in 2012 (18% vs 13%; p<0.001) and more involved in ED evaluation and hospitalization. The intervention program had a beneficial impact on the fall recurrence rate (n=29 [3.6%] in period 1 and n=17 [2.0%] in period 2; odds ratio= 0.52; p=0.037), which significantly decreased between 2010 and 2012.

CONCLUSIONS: The intervention program was associated with a decrease of fall recurrence. Further efforts should be made in EDs to ensure a sustained level of satisfactory and long-lasting management of the elderly. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en