title: Dual-stiffness flooring: can it reduce fracture rates associated with falls?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Falls cause significant morbidity and mortality in long term care facilities. Dual-stiffness flooring (DSF) has previously shown promise in reducing such morbidity in experimental models. This study set out to measure the impact of SmartCell flooring on falls-related morbidity in a nursing home.
  
  
  METHODS
  All falls occurring at an Arizona nursing home between July 1, 2008, and December 31, 2010, were reviewed for age, sex, diagnosis of osteoporosis, number of medications, history of previous falls, type of flooring (normal vs DSF), time of day, type of injury, and resulting actions. Fall-related outcomes were compared across room types using chi-square and logistic regression methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-two falls on the DSF were compared with 85 falls on the regular floor. There was a tendency for residents falling on DSF to have less bruising and abrasions, while having more redness and cuts. There were 2 fractures on regular flooring (2.4% fracture rate) and none on the DSF flooring (0% fracture rate).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fracture rate of 2.4% of falls on the regular floor is consistent with previous reports in the literature, whereas a 0% rate found on the DSF floor is a clinically significant improvement. This suggests that DSF may be a practical approach for institutions and consumers to reduce fall-related injuries. A larger scale controlled study to confirm these encouraging preliminary findings is warranted.
authors: Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada. fknoefel@bruyere.org
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Knoefel
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Patrick
authors: Jodie
authors: J
authors: Taylor
authors: Rafik
authors: R
authors: Goubran
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*