Assoc. Prof Lisa Somerville1, Val Maric2, Lisa Oakley2, Prof Karen Smith3,Shelley Cox3
1Alfred Hospital, 2Alfred Health, 3Ambulance Victoria
Abstract:
Background:
One third of those aged over 65 years and living in the community will fall each year, potentially leading to a cascade of negative consequences. Falls account for 16% of all Ambulance Victoria (AV) dispatches within the Alfred Hospital catchment area and are the leading cause of Emergency Department (ED) admissions for those over 65 years.
Aim:
The overall goal of this collaborative project between Alfred Health and AV was to evaluate the feasibility and impact of a model of care for the over 65 years, community dwelling adults, who sustained a fall and can be attended to in their own home.
Method:
The STRIDE service was available to clients living Alfred Health catchment between August 2017 and February 2018. A standardised assessment and brief intervention from a transdisciplinary OT/PT incorporated a post-fall screen and validated falls risk assessment tools. The assessment outcomes guided targeted falls prevention intervention(s). Follow-up phone contact and/or visit/s occurred as necessary and correspondence was always sent to the client’s GP. All clients were provided with educational information to help reduce their risk of future falls.
Results:
Adherence with STRIDE education interventions was in excess of 70%.
At the 1 month review, there was a significant decrease in the patients fear of falling and improvements noted in patients quality of life.
Significance of findings to allied health:
Outcomes show a positive trend that the service model may lead to a reduction in ED hospital re-presentations as well as overall Length of stay due to subsequent falls. Cost calculations show that STRIDE model is attractive given the cost of a STRIDE service is much cheaper than an ‘ED only’ or ‘ED and short stay’ presentation.
Biography: