Researchers find weaknesses in fall prevention guidelines

A systematic review comparing clinical guidelines for preventing falls in elderly populations found inconsistencies, gaps and other weaknesses among the 200 recommendations included in the study, according to a summary of the findings in the March issue of the American Journal of Nursing. Guidelines on vitamin D supplementation, fall prevention education and physiotherapy referrals were inconsistent, and the test most often recommended to evaluate gait and balance had low predictive validity. Other deficits included a lack of recommendations for older adults with cognitive impairment and few tools to help clinicians identify drugs that increase fall risk. The authors suggest using the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries) initiative guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while other guidelines are improved.