Background: Outpatient falls result in injuries and hospitalizations that generate billions of dollars in medical costs annually. Adults aged 65 and older are the group most frequently affected by falls. Changes in healthcare status, decreasing eyesight, strength, and mobility issues can all contribute to issues for this patient population. One proven way to help decrease falls is identification and intervention with at-risk individuals. The use of a universal screening tool is an efficient and effective way to identify patients who are at-risk for falling or have already fallen and require interventions to avoid future falls. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project is to identify older adults who are at risk for falls through utilization of a universal fall screening tool. Methods/Implementation/Plan/Procedure: The project was implemented at Michigan State University Health System Family Medicine Clinic. Clinic staff were educated on the CDC STEADI fall screening tool, flyers were used as reminders in the clinic, and an implementation staff "champion" was identified and utilized. Older adults were screened for fall risk using the CDC STEADI fall screening tool and flagged within the electronic health record. Use of the STEADI fall screening tool in older adult patients and appropriate flagging of at- risk patients were evaluated as the primary outcomes. Fall incidence and fall-related injuries are among the secondary outcomes. Implications/Conclusion: Identification of at-risk older adults using a universal screening tool is an appropriate and cost-effective approach to prevention and reduction of falls and fall-related injuries in older adults.
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