UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Trauma

Title: Can EMS impact fall prevention

Keywords: Fall, EMS, injury prevention (PubMed Search)

Posted: 9/30/2024 by Robert Flint, MD (Updated: 10/29/2024)
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This meta analysis looked for studies involving community EMS (CEMS) interventions trying to reduce falls. The authors found: 

“CEMS fall prevention interventions reduced all-cause and fall-related emergency department encounters, subsequent falls and EMS calls for lift assist. These interventions also improved patient health-related quality of life, independence with activities of daily living, and secondary health outcomes.”

Further, prospective work needs to be done to look at this on a larger scale. We know falls in elderly patients lead to significant morbidity and mortality. This could be one way  to improve fall mortality.

References

Friend TH, Thomas HM, Ordoobadi AJ_, et al_

Community emergency medical services approaches to fall prevention: a systematic review

Injury Prevention Published Online First:22 July 2024. doi: 10.1136/ip-2023-045110