ALERT-ED: Notifying and linking older adults at high fall risk to local prevention resources
ALERT-ED: Awareness and Linkage to Resources for At-Risk Emergency Department Patients
This project tests whether automatically notifying older adults who screen as high fall risk in the emergency department and sending them referrals to nearby fall-prevention programs helps them connect to care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20700 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Colorado, Denver Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Aurora, Colorado) |
| Trial ID | NCT07028463 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
UCHealth screens all ED patients for fall risk on arrival using the Geriatric Fall assessment tool, and ALERT-ED automatically notifies patients who screen as high risk. Enrolled patients aged 65 or older who screen high receive automated notification of their screening result and a referral via Livi to evidence-based fall-prevention programs located near their homes. The pragmatic intervention is delivered within routine ED workflows at UCHealth Aurora and includes follow-up contact for those who consent. Investigators will compare connection to resources and subsequent health outcomes to determine whether automated notification and referral increases uptake of prevention services and reduces fall-related ED revisits.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 65 or older who screen as high fall risk on the ED Geriatric Fall assessment and consent to follow-up contact.
Not a fit: Patients who do not consent to follow-up, those already enrolled in fall-prevention programs, or individuals who cannot access referred services locally may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, ALERT-ED could increase awareness and referrals to fall-prevention programs and lead to fewer falls and ED revisits.
How similar studies have performed: Evidence-based fall-prevention programs have reduced falls by about 30% in prior studies, but using automated ED notification and electronic referral like ALERT-ED is a relatively new approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 65 years or older * Screens high risk falls on the Geriatric Fall assessment tool (as shown in protocol and used as standard practice in study ED) Exclusion Criteria: * Does not consent to follow up interview
Where this trial is running
Aurora, Colorado
- UCHealth — Aurora, Colorado, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Elizabeth M Goldberg, MD, ScM
- Email: elizabeth.goldberg@cuanschutz.edu
- Phone: 3037244712
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.