Optimizing Post-Acute Care Patient Safety: A Scoping Review of Multifactorial Fall Prevention Interventions for Older Adults

Abstract

Accidental falls are preventable adverse events for older post-acute care (PAC) patients. Yet, due to the functional and medical care needs of this population, there is little guidance to inform multidisciplinary prevention efforts. This scoping review aims to characterize the evidence for multifactorial PAC fall prevention interventions. Of the 33 included studies, common PAC intervention domains included implementing facility-based strategies (e.g., staff education), evaluating patient-specific fall risk factors (e.g., function), and developing an individualized risk profile and treatment plan that targets the patient’s constellation of fall risk factors. However, there was variability across studies in how and to what extent the domains were addressed. While further research is warranted, health system efforts to prevent accidental falls in PAC should consider a patient-centered multifactorial approach that fosters a culture of safety, addresses individuals’ fall risk, and champions a multidisciplinary team.

Occupational therapist's actions in preventing falls of the elderly person at home: an integrative review of literature (2017-2022)

“…Therefore, it is recommended that, in the practice of occupational therapists, fall prevention programs are used that include multicomponent strategies focused on the elderly, involving functional exercises integrated into the lifestyle, assessment and removal of domestic hazards and educational components for prevention of falls. A home intervention program must include the verification, removal and reduction of environmental barriers to be effective in-home safety and in reducing the number of falls in the home (Elliott & Leland, 2018;Stark et al, 2017a;Leland et al, 2022).…”

Ações de terapeutas ocupacionais na prevenção de quedas da pessoa idosa no domicílio: revisão integrativa da literatura (2017-2022)

“…Portanto, é recomendado que, na prática do terapeuta ocupacional, sejam utilizados programas de prevenção de quedas que incluam estratégias multicomponentes e centradas na pessoa idosa, que envolvam exercícios funcionais integrados ao estilo de vida, avaliação e remoção dos perigos domésticos e componentes educativos para prevenção de quedas. Um programa de intervenção domiciliar deve incluir a verificação, remoção e redução das barreiras ambientais para ser efetivo na segurança domiciliar e na redução da quantidade de quedas no domicílio (Elliott & Leland, 2018;Stark et al, 2017a;Leland et al, 2022).…”

Association Between Falling and Activities of Daily Living Measured by the Longshi Scale in Patients Poststroke

“…This study may help nurses quickly identify clinical patients with intermediate LS grades at a high risk of falls. It is of great significance for further optimizing care plans in response to these identified risks, such as routine environmental evaluation and education on the safe use of adaptive equipment 41…”

“…It is of great significance for further optimizing care plans in response to these identified risks, such as routine environmental evaluation and education on the safe use of adaptive equipment. 41…”