TY - JOUR PY - 2023// TI - Shared-medical appointment for screening and risk assessment for fall prevention JO - Gerontology and geriatric medicine A1 - Moran, Ryan A1 - Ramirez, Michelle A1 - Woods, Gina A1 - Hofflich, Heather A1 - Wing Ms, David A1 - Nichols, Jeanne SP - e23337214231186460 EP - e23337214231186460 VL - 9 IS - N2 - BACKGROUND: The median age of Americans is rising and fall risk increases with age. While the causes of falls are multifactorial, falls risk can be reduced. Only a small percentage of older-adults report being asked about fall risk or falls. The CDC has initiated a Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (STEADI) toolkit, but penetration into practice has been slow. To address this, we implemented a Falls Prevention Shared Medical Appointment (SMA) at an academic internal medicine clinic.

METHODS: Patients were referred to the SMA and scheduled per their preference virtually or in-person. Patients attended a nurse visit for appropriate fallrisk related screening, followed by the SMA with two physicians for review of medical history, fall screening results and implementation of fall reduction strategies. Follow-up survey of the patients assessed program effectiveness.

RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were seen/assessed between November 2021 and February 2023 with SMAs ranging from 3 to 5 patients with an average age of 77 (=/- 6.7). Questionnaire self-reported risk factors, self-reported strength, and polypharmacy were associated with objective markers of increased fall risk. Survey results indicate acceptability of this model.

CONCLUSION: Falls prevention SMAs can be effective. More work is needed to further delineate and refine cohort selection.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 2333-7214 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/23337214231186460 ID - ref1 ER -