Reducing G60 Recidivism Rates

The research surrounding best practice guidelines of geriatric trauma patients in the inpatient setting is broad. Furthermore, the comprehensiveness of research programs varies based on individual hospital resource capacity. American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS TQIP) Geriatric Trauma Management Guidelines1 details a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to inpatient management; however, guideline effectiveness is diminished as many hospitals may implement a version of the guidelines limited by staffing, ancillary services, and resource capacity, among other variables.

Risk of future falls in elderly patients increases based on multiple factors including increased age and history of previous falls. However, there is limited research showing evidenced-based interventions that reduce recidivism rates related to falls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an evidenced-based fall prevention program (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths \& Injuries \[STEADI3\]). Implementation of STEADI as part of a multidisciplinary approach to fall risk assessment and prevention prior to discharge may reduce recidivism in elderly patients. Ground level falls are the most common mechanism of injury in older adults and are increasingly becoming a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. An individual's risk of a repeat ground level fall increases after an initial fall, injury, or hospitalization7. Addressing fall risk factors and tailoring inpatient care for any trauma in the elderly population prior to discharge will likely improve outcomes, decrease length of stay, and decrease morbidity and mortality. The introduction of STEADI as part of a specialized multidisciplinary approach to fall risk assessment and prevention prior to hospital discharge may reduce recidivism in elderly patients. Patients that attend the discharge class are typically more likely to go home and return to independence whereas those that do not attend the discharge class are likely to have a disposition of going to a long-term care facility or are not mentally capable of retaining information. Reduced falls as a result of STEADI implementation will putatively improve mortality rates and quality of life in elderly patients.