Citation

Ueda T, Higuchi Y, Hattori G, Nomura H, Yamanaka G, Hosaka A, Sakuma M, Fukuda T, Fukumoto T, Nemoto T. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022; 19(3): e1585.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph19031585

PMID

35162608

Abstract

This multicenter, preliminary, randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of a tailored fall-prevention program using home floor plans for discharged orthopedic patients aged ≥65 years who experienced ≥1 fall(s) in the past year (n = 72) at five acute-care hospitals. The control group received standard care (exercise to prevent recurrent falls), whereas the intervention group received a tailored fall-prevention program in addition to usual care. A physical therapist conducted the tailored education program using each patient's home floor plans before discharge. A follow-up survey of falls and near-falls at home was performed using a monthly fall calendar for the 1-month period after discharge. Data on 81.5% of participants remained for the final analyses. No falls occurred in the intervention group; however, 4.3% of those in the control group experienced a fall. Near-falls were reported by 3.7% and 26.9% of the participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The proportion of participants who did not experience near-falls in the 1st month after discharge was lower in the intervention than in the control group (p = 0.018). In conclusion, the tailored fall-prevention program using home floor plans in multiple acute-care hospitals was effective in reducing falls and near-falls in discharged orthopedic patients.

Language: en

Keywords

intervention study; acute-care hospital; discharged patients; fall prevention; home floor plans; multicenter