title: Reducing falls among geriatric rehabilitation patients: a controlled clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention programme to reduce falls among geriatric rehabilitation patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre/post-test design with independent pre-test and matched post-test samples.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatient geriatric wards in a rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-six matched pairs (n = 152) of geriatric rehabilitation patients from one control and one intervention ward participated in the study, and 36 nursing staff surveys were completed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention programme was developed based on interviews and systematic reviews. Educational materials were distributed to patients and families, and preventive measures were implemented.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rates of falls before and after the intervention both within and between the wards were compared, and surveys were completed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The matched patients presented no significant differences on age, gender or medical conditions. The falls rates, proportion of fallers and length of stay was higher among those in the control ward (P< 0.043). The percentage of fallers and the rate of falls/1000 patient days were lower on the intervention ward after implementation: odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = -2.9 (-6.6, -1.2) and -1.8 (-6.0, 0.5). Thirty of 36 respondents considered the tool to be helpful and beneficial for use on other wards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervention programme was effective in reducing falls among geriatric rehabilitation patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA. EVieira@fiu.edu
authors.forename: Edgar Ramos
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berean
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paches
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caveny
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: Lauralee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ballash
authors.forename: Rosalie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Freund-Heritage
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008029:Lighting / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010362:Patients' Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D000078329:Workforce