Longitudinal Outcome in a Veterans Geriatric Multifactorial Falls Assessment Clinic

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Objective To reduce subsequent falls following Multifactorial Falls Assessment Design: Prospective Case Control Population: Frail elderly Veteran outpatient population referred for falls assessment Methods: Prospective controlled trial of Geriatric Multifactorial Falls Assessment Clinic patients followed for 1 year and outcomes compared to Acute Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Inpatient Unit discharge control group.

Detailed Description
-----------------
We designed a prospective controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of outpatient falls assessment and treatment for community-dwelling frail elderly patients with history of falls referred to an active management Geriatric Multifactorial Falls Assessment Clinic with a control group of patients discharged from an Acute Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Inpatient Unit during the same time period, but who were not specifically referred for falls assessment. We hypothesized that a population of frail elderly referred by their primary care physicians and who reported for evaluation to a Geriatric Multifactorial Falls Assessment Clinic would show a reduction in falls compared to controls, when provided a time-limited consult evaluation with active follow-up for 1 year.

Official Title
-----------------
Longitudinal Outcome in a Veterans Geriatric Multifactorial Falls Assessment Clinic: A Prospective Controlled Study

Conditions
-----------------
Aging

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Multifactorial Falls Assessment


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Community-dwelling frail elderly with history of fall Exclusion Criteria: Severe dementia

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Treatment<br>Geriatric Multifactorial Falls Assessment Clinic | Other: Multifactorial Falls Assessment<br>* The Geriatric Multifactorial Falls Assessment Clinic is a component of GERIATRIC-PACT, a frail-elderly primary care patient-centered medical home with care provided by an inter-professional teamlet consisting of a geriatrician, geriatric nurse practitioner, clinical pharmacist, licensed practical nurse, nurse care manager, social worker, and dietitian. GERIATRIC-PACT operates with increased ancillary support compared to Primary Care PACT. Falls assessment patients were referred by primary care providers and were evaluated and treated by the GERIATRIC-PACT teamlet, including ordering of tests and medication adjustment, with an average of two visits and active follow-up for one year.<br>* Other names: Falls Clinic;|
| No Intervention: Control<br>Geriatric Evaluation and Management Service (GEM) | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of Participants Who Experienced Falls | Number of participants who experienced falls in 12 months, based on self-recall and telephone interview. | 12 months | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
falls