CME Article: Falls in the Post-Hospitalization Period
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ACCREDITATION
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.
CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity. Valid March 1 - May 31, 2005. Estimated time: 1 hour
FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY AFFECTING CME ACTIVITIES
As a provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), it is the policy of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to require the disclosure of the existence of any significant financial interest or any other relationship a faculty member or provider has with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) discussed in an educational presentation. The presenting faculty reported the following: Dr. Mahoney has indicated that she has not received financial support for consultation, research or evaluation or have a financial interest relevant to this article. No faculty member has indicated that their presentation will include information on off-label products.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
The opinions and recommendations expressed by faculty and other experts whose input is included in this program are their own. This enduring material is produced for educational purposes only. Use of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine name implies review of educational format design and approach. Please review the complete prescribing information of specific drugs or combination of drugs, including indications, contraindications, warnings and adverse effects before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.
Educational Objectives
1. To identify risk factors for post-hospital falls
2. To understand the role of hospitalization and acute illness in increasing falls risk after discharge
3. To be able to recommend prevention strategies that can be implemented during hospitalization to decrease post-hospital fall risk
4. To be able to recommend prevention strategies that can be implemented after hospitalization to decrease falls risk
Falls are a serious concern for older adults. Each year, 30% of adults age 65 and older experience a fall.1,2 Risk factors for falls have been identified, and guidelines have been developed to assist in falls prevention.3 For a person who is at risk for falls, however, the risk is not static, but varies according to health condition. For example, older adults are at increased risk with any acute illness. About 10% of all falls among older adults occur in the setting of acute illness.1 Another high-risk period occurs immediately after hospitalization.4,5 In the post-hospital setting, the combination of acute illness and adverse effects of hospitalization may result in dramatically increased risk. This article reviews the incidence and consequences of falls in the post-hospital period, risk factors for falls during this time, and strategies for prevention of post-hospital falls.
INCIDENCE AND CONSEQUENCES OF FALLS AFTER HOSPITALIZATION
Two previous studies have examined the risk of falls after medical hospitalization.
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