Page 24 - 2017 Nursing Annual Report | Summa Health

New Knowledge, Innovations
and Improvements

Nurse-led Interprofessional
Collaborative Practice &
Education: HRSA grant for
fall prevention

One out of three people over the age of 65 fall every year, with a third
sustaining at least moderate injury. Falls in the elderly are a particularly
significant health concern as they may lead to functional decline,
diminished quality of life, institutionalization and premature death.

Falls, however, aren’t always considered a medical A nurse care manager provided follow-up on team
concern that can actually be prevented. “Patients and recommendations serving at-risk elders in a five-county
providers often underappreciate how many things you radius, the clinic used evidence-based guidelines,
can do to prevent a future fall,” says Susan Hazelett, MS, collaborative problem solving and care coordination
BSN, RN, Manager, Seniors Institute Research. “Let’s use to prevent falls and improve the health and well-being
the example of an older adult who trips and falls on the outcomes of older adults.
sidewalk. They may say ‘I just tripped’ and believe this was
not preventable. However gait or vision problems may The Summa Fall Risk Reduction Clinic received patient
have contributed to the trip or they may have fallen due referrals from a wide net of providers, including primary
to decreased strength and balance. Effective interventions care offices, Direction Home Area Agency on Aging 10B,
exist for many such fall risk factors.” Summa’s Emergency Department (ED) and inpatient units.
A total of approximately 850 patients were intervened upon
Recognizing that improvements are needed within by the Fall Clinic IP team over the three-year grant period.
care processes to ensure that the elderly have ready
and equitable access to comprehensive fall prevention Outcome data showed an average of 1.7 fewer falls
programs, Summa applied for a Nurse Education Practice (p<0.0001) in the three months after the intervention
Quality and Retention (NEPQR) grant from the Health compared to the 3 months prior to the intervention.
Resources & Services Administration in 2015. One of the Data also showed statistically significantly fewer ED visits
goals of the three-year, $1.5 million grant was to establish (p=0.05) and fall-related ED visits (p=0.02) comparing pre
a nurse-led interprofessional (IP) collaborative practice in and post-intervention data. While statistically significant
the form of a Fall Risk Reduction Clinic. from a population health perspective, the decrease is also
significant clinically. “According to the CDC, the average
The Summa Fall Risk Reduction Clinic opened in medical cost of a fall is now $30,000,” cites Hazelett.
September 2015 within the Summa Center for Senior “While that may seem high, just consider the costs
Health. The team leader was an advanced practice associated with a person who falls, fractures a hip and
nurse and team members included a pharmacist, several ends up in a nursing home.”
physicians (ED, primary care, and geriatrician), a physical
therapist, and a social worker, among others.

24 Summa Health