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Citation |
Hanley A, Ali MT, Murphy RX. Ir. J. Med. Sci. 2010; 179(2): 277-278. |
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Affiliation |
Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland, alanhanley@gmail.com. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2010, General Publications) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
19847591 |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND: Falls in the elderly are a significant public health problem. Previous studies have shown that most falls are multifactorial and an efficacious way of reducing the risk of falling is provided by a falls clinic. AIMS: A falls clinic runs every 2 weeks at Mayo General Hospital; we report on the activity of this clinic during its first year. METHODS: We performed a chart review and collected the following data. Thirty-seven patients attended the clinic. All patients were seen by a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, physician and pharmacist. Six patients had a further fall within a 12-month period; 2 of these suffered a further fracture. No patients were readmitted to hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The results show a reduction in fall occurrence from previously reported rates in this at-risk population. We find the falls clinic a convenient and effective method of managing elderly people who are at increased risk of falling. Language: en |