Falls Risk Factors & Interventions - #16
Take QuizIdentify fall risk factors and common interventions that decrease fall risk.
| Risk Factors | Interventions |
|---|---|
| Postural hypotension: drop in systolic P ≥20 mmHg or to < 90 mm Hg on standing |
|
| Benzodiazepine or other sedatives |
|
| medications |
|
| Environmental hazards |
|
| Impaired gait or balance |
|
| Transfer skills |
|
|
Impairment in leg/arm muscle strength or ROM |
|
Elderly patients who have fallen or are at high risk for falls
Use the table below to identify risk factors for falls, as well as patient and environmental interventions that may decrease falls.
Studies have shown that the relative risk reduction for a group of elderly patients enrolled in a multi-disciplinary, multi-faceted, falls prevention program was 0.39 when compared to the control group.(1)
- List 5 patient risk factors that may predispose a patient to fall.
- List 10 interventions that may be instituted to decrease fall risk.
Review of Systems (ROS)
Geriatric Topics
ACGME Compentencies
Science Principles
- Fuller, G. F. Falls in the elderly. Am Fam Physician. 2000 Apr 1; 61(7):2159-2168. Table was adapted from the same article
Users are free to download and distribute Geriatric Fast Facts for informational, educational, and research purposes only. Citation: Yana Thaker, Kathyrn Denson MD, Fast Fact #016: Falls Risk Factors & Interventions. February 2012.
Disclaimer: Geriatric Fast Facts are for informational, educational and research purposes only. Geriatric Fast Facts are not, nor are they intended to be, medical advice. Health care providers should exercise their own independent clinical judgment when diagnosing and treating patients. Some Geriatric Fast Facts cite the use of a product in a dosage, for an indication, or in a manner other than that recommended in the product labeling. Accordingly, the official prescribing information should be consulted before any such product is used.
Terms of Use: Geriatric Fast Facts are provided for informational, educational and research purposes only. Use of the material for any other purpose constitutes infringement of the copyright and intellectual property rights owned by the specific authors and/or their affiliated institutions listed on each Fast Fact. By using any of this material, you assume all risks of copyright infringement and related liability. Geriatric Fast Facts may not be reproduced or used for unauthorized purposes without prior written permission, which may be obtained by submitting a written request to: Medical College of Wisconsin, Dept. of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226. Note the Geriatric Fast Facts may contain copyrighted work created under contract with government agencies, foundations, funding organizations and commercial companies, etc. If a particular author places further restrictions on the material, you must honor those restrictions regardless of whether such restrictions are described in this mobile app.