Citation

Smith ML, Towne SD, Motlagh AS, Smith DR, Boolani A, Horel SA, Ory MG. Front. Public Health 2017; 5: e28.

Affiliation

Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University , College Station, TX , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Frontiers Editorial Office)

DOI

10.3389/fpubh.2017.00028

PMID

28361049

PMCID

PMC5352653

Abstract

Identifying ways to measure access, availability, and utilization of health-care services, relative to at-risk areas or populations, is critical in providing practical and actionable information to key stakeholders. This study identified the prevalence and geospatial distribution of fall-related emergency medical services (EMS) calls in relation to the delivery of an evidence-based fall prevention program in Tarrant County, Texas over a 3-year time period. It aims to educate public health professionals and EMS first respondents about the application of geographic information system programs to identify risk-related "hot spots," service gaps, and community assets to reduce falls among older adults. On average, 96.09 (±108.65) calls were received per ZIP Code (ranging from 0 calls to 386 calls). On average, EMS calls per ZIP Code increased from 30.80 (±34.70) calls in 2009 to 33.75 (±39.58) calls in 2011, which indicate a modest annual call increase over the 3-year study period. The percent of ZIP Codes offering A Matter of Balance/Volunteer Lay Leader Model (AMOB/VLL) workshops increased from 27.3% in 2009 to 34.5% in 2011. On average, AMOB/VLL workshops were offered in ZIP Codes with more fall-related EMS calls over the 3-year study period.

FINDINGS suggest that the study community was providing evidence-based fall prevention programming (AMOB/VLL workshops) in higher-risk areas. Opportunities for strategic service expansion were revealed through the identification of fall-related hot spots and asset mapping.

Language: en

Keywords

asset mapping; fall prevention; older adults; risk assessment; strategic planning