Care for older adults who fall and may have a head injury
Understanding Care Pathways for Older People on Anticoagulant or Antiplatelet Medications With Falls and Head Injury
This project will see how hospitals care for older adults who fall and might have a head injury, with a focus on people taking blood-thinning medicines.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 1000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Portsmouth) |
| Trial ID | NCT07111871 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational service study collects information from healthcare professionals about current pathways used when older adults who have fallen may have a head injury, particularly those on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Data will include whether patients are brought to hospital, CT head scan use, admission rates, wait times, and whether a comprehensive falls assessment is performed. The work uses surveys of clinicians primarily employed in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area and local service data from Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. Findings will be used to identify delays, unnecessary admissions or imaging, and opportunities to improve care pathways for older people after a fall.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: The intended participants are healthcare professionals (aged 18+) whose primary employment is within Hampshire and Isle of Wight and who routinely review older adults on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy after a fall, and who consent to complete the survey.
Not a fit: Older people outside the local Hampshire and Isle of Wight services, or those with clear symptoms requiring immediate imaging and treatment, are unlikely to directly benefit from service changes identified by this survey.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce unnecessary emergency visits and CT scans, shorten waits, and improve delivery of falls assessments for older people.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational and service-evaluation work has suggested that the risk of brain bleeding is low in asymptomatic older people on blood thinners and has questioned routine head CT for all such presentations, so this project builds on existing evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * • Aged 18 years or above * Healthcare professional whose primary employment is within HIOW * Have experience reviewing older adults on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications who have had a fall as part of their job role * Confirmed consent to participate on the completed survey Exclusion Criteria: * • Did not consent to participate on the completed survey
Where this trial is running
Portsmouth
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust — Portsmouth, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Laura Marshall
- Email: laura.marshall72@nhs.net
- Phone: 02392286000
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.