The Geriatric Acute & Post-acute Care Coordination Program for Fall Prevention in the Emergency Department II (GAPcareII)

University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Fall

Treatments: Other: Fall Prevention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry; NIH

Identifiers

NCT04304495

22-2089

K76AG059983 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

In brief, this K76 study consists of a small open trial to refine the study protocol and train study personnel on study procedures (Aim 1.b.). In Aim 2, we will recruit older adults into a multidisciplinary fall prevention pilot study. Participants will be randomly assigned to usual care with a traditional fall evaluation by an ED clinician (i.e., ED medical staff member) or an intervention. In the intervention, participants will receive an in-ED consultation by a physical therapist and pharmacist to determine reasons for the fall and offer additional education and training. Participants will be provided an Apple Watch to record measures of fitness and falls, if possible, in the following 12 months. Recurrent falls will be measured in twelve-month follow-up.

Full description

In order to determine whether a multifactorial fall prevention intervention is feasible, acceptable and may reduce recurrent falls in older adults presenting to the ED after a fall, we will randomize patients to usual care with a traditional fall evaluation by an ED clinician or an intervention. Patients in the intervention arm receive a fall risk assessment and recommendations by a physical therapist. They are also evaluated by a pharmacist and participate in a medication therapy management session with the aim to reduce fall risk increasing medication.

Enrollment: 197 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Community-dwelling adult (non-institutionalized) 65 years-old or older presenting to ED after a fall
• Fall not due to syncope or external force (i.e., struck by car or assault)
• Fall not due to serious illness (i.e., stroke, acute myocardial infarction)
• Will be discharged to home/assisted living/rehabilitation at completion of ED visit (i.e., not admitted)
• Legally authorized representative able to give informed consent if patient has cognitive impairment on Six Item Screener (score of less than four) either over the phone with witness present or in person
• Must screen or test negative for COVID-19

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to give informed consent due to intoxication or altered mental status
• Presence of injuries that prevent mobilization (i.e., pelvic or lower extremity fractures)
• Allergies to any wearable device component
• Unable or unwilling to wear Apple Watch at home (only for periodic study visits)
• Patient has advanced cancer and/or is on hospice care
• Pts coming from SNF or nursing home
• Previously enrolled in GAPcare II Aim1.b

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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197 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

In addition to the usual care arm, the Intervention arm will receive a physical therapy and pharmacy consultation in the ED. PTs will perform a fall risk assessment and provide recommendations on the safety of discharge. Pharmacists will perform medication review, recommend cessation or tapering of medication that increase fall risk using motivational interviewing (MTM) techniques. The participants will also receive Apple Watch training and an Apple Watch to perform tasks that test their memory and mobility during their ED visit and during our home visits at 1,3, 6, and 12 month after enrollment.

Treatment:

Other: Fall Prevention

Usual care arm

No Intervention group

Description:

The ED clinician will perform a standard medical evaluation, including a focused history and exam to identify injuries, laboratory tests and radiologic imaging. If necessary, the patient will receive consultation with specialty services (e.g., orthopedics). The participants will also receive Apple Watch training and an Apple Watch to perform tasks that test their memory and mobility during their ED visit and during our home visits at 1,3, 6, and 12 month after enrollment.