Evaluating a tool to screen older adults for fall risks in emergency departments
Preventing Future Falls in Older Adult ED Patients: Evaluating the Implementation and Effectiveness of a Novel Automated Screening and Referral Intervention - Assessing Outcomes From Medical Records and Medicare Claims Data
This study is testing a new electronic tool that helps emergency departments identify older adults at risk of falling so they can get the right help before leaving the hospital.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 30000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Wisconsin, Madison Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Rockford, Illinois and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05810064 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study assesses the effectiveness of an electronic health record-based clinical decision support system designed to automatically screen older adult patients in emergency departments for their risk of future falls. The tool facilitates referrals to a specialized falls prevention clinic for those identified as high-risk before they leave the emergency department. The study will analyze data from older adults who visited participating emergency departments, focusing on referral completion rates and subsequent fall-related healthcare visits. Additionally, it will explore barriers to completing referrals and the effectiveness of the intervention across different patient demographics.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are older adults aged 65 and above who visit the emergency department and are discharged without being admitted.
Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 65 or those who are admitted to the hospital rather than discharged will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of injurious falls among older adults by ensuring timely referrals to preventive care.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using automated screening tools for fall risk, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Retrospective analysis will include data from: * ED patients 65 years or older * discharged from the ED (not admitted)
Where this trial is running
Rockford, Illinois and 2 other locations
- Swedish American Emergency Department — Rockford, Illinois, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- East Madison Hospital — Madison, Wisconsin, United States (Recruiting)
- UWHC Emergency Department — Madison, Wisconsin, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Brian W Patterson, MD, MPH — University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Study coordinator: Dann Hekman, MS
- Email: djhekman@medicine.wisc.edu
- Phone: (608) 265-3178
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.