The effect of a multifactorial patient-centered fall prevention program on falls and fall related injuries

Introduction: Multifactorial interventions can reduce the number of falls and fall related injuries in older persons. However, patient compliance to these interventions is weak resulting in a poor effect on these outcomes. This study presents the effects on falls and fall related injuries of a multifactorial patient-centered fall prevention program by focusing on increasing patients’ compliance. Methods: This ongoing study is a pre-post-test design with two patient cohorts (standard of care, i.e. control cohort (n=42) and implementation of a fall-prevention program, (i.e. intervention cohort (n=15)) to document the effect on falls and fall related injuries 2 months after the initial evaluation in the falls clinic. During the conference, a larger sample size and follow-up data at 6 months will be available. Results: Fall incidents and fear of falling prior to the evaluation in the falls clinic was comparable for both groups. Preliminary results at 2 months follow-up show, that the amount of fallers and multiple fallers was 26.7% and 6.7% in the intervention group compared to 40.5% and 12.5% in the control group, respectively. In the intervention group, fall related injuries were limited to minor injuries only (50%) in comparison to the control group were 52,9% and 23,5% of fall incidents resulted in minor and moderate injuries, respectively. Key conclusions: Preliminary results of this intervention focusing on patient compliance show a decrease of falls and fall related injuries 2 months after the consultation at the falls clinic. During the conference an update of the ongoing study results will be presented.status: publishe