Quality indicators for the management and prevention of falls and mobility problems in vulnerable elders
Article Abstract:
The ACOVE indicators for preventing falls in the elderly are presented. The ACOVE project consists of 236 quality indicators for 22 conditions that commonly affect the elderly. These indicators provide a minimum set of standards to ensure that the elderly receive quality medical care.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 2001
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Quality indicators for prevention and management of pressure ulcers in vulnerable elders
Article Abstract:
The ACOVE indicators for preventing and treating bedsores in elderly patients are presented. The ACOVE project consists of 236 quality indicators for 22 conditions that commonly affect the elderly. These indicators provide a minimum set of standards to ensure that the elderly receive quality medical care.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 2001
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The value of assessing falls in an elderly population
Article Abstract:
Falls by elderly persons cause substantial suffering, disability, and even death, particularly among persons living in institutions. Almost one-third of elderly persons living at home fall each year; 10 to 20 percent of these falls result in serious injury and 2 to 6 percent result in fractures. Causes of falls include dizziness and a sudden drop in blood pressure, while factors associated with a fall include advanced age, female sex, use of medications, weakness, and poor balance. It has been recommended that certain high-risk patients be identified and monitored, but controlled studies assessing the benefits of this approach have not been carried out. This study determined whether a careful post-fall assessment, coupled with referrals for specific treatment and preventative intervention, was beneficial in 79 frail, institutionalized, elderly persons who had fallen. This group was compared with a control group of 81 patients who received the standard care without the post-fall assessment. Patient assessment uncovered many risk factors predisposing a patient to a fall. During the two-year follow-up period, patients in the intervention group had 26 percent fewer hospitalizations and a 52 percent reduction in hospital days as compared with the control group. Patients in the intervention group also had 17 percent fewer deaths and 9 percent fewer falls. These results suggest that falls in the elderly are a marker of underlying disorders that can be identified readily during a careful post-fall assessment, which in turn can lower both disability and medical costs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: