Description

Seymour et al identified risk factors for fall in older adults discharged from the Emergency Department (ED). This can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from Washington University in St. Louis, Allegheny General Hospital, University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University.


Patient selection: > 65 years, discharged from ED

 

Outcome: fall within 6 months

 

Risk factors for fall:

(1) nonhealing food sore

(2) history of falls

(3) inability to cut own toenails

(4) depression (self-reported)

 

The total number of risk factors present was correlated with falls.

 

Number of Risk Factors

Falls in 6 Months

0

4%

1

9%

2

14%

3

24%

4

42%


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