Citation

Becker C, Rapp K. Internist 2011; 52(8): 939-945.

Vernacular Title

Sturze in der Geriatrie. Diagnostik und Therapie.

Affiliation

Klinik für Geriatrische Rehabilitation, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Auerbachstraße 110, 70376, Stuttgart, Deutschland, Clemens.Becker@rbk.de.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00108-011-2805-8

PMID

21755365

Abstract

Falls are among the most frequent adverse events in the life of an older person. Accident and emergency units, outpatient services and internal medicine wards should have a diagnostic concept for falls and fall-related injuries and implement an evidence-based risk management for fall prevention. The recently published Reviews of the Cochrane Collaboration and the revised guidelines of the Anglo-American medical societies are a proper basis to plan these steps. This, of course, has to be adapted for the needs of each institution. Currently, it is probable that at least 30% of all falls are preventable. A structured fall history and multifactorial assessment is not part of the routine of outpatient and inpatient services in Germany. The planned revision of the German nursing guideline on fall prevention and the current activities of the Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit will also lead to a legal dilemma for those institutions that have not implemented an adequate workup.

Language: de