Listed below is the high level evidence on Falls– reducing their harm produced by NICE, SIGN and NHS based organisations. Also included are the European Society guidelines where available. This list is produced and maintained by HEFT Library Services to support VITAL for Doctors core skills programme developed in the Trust.
HEFT Local Policies
Policy for the Prevention and Management of Inpatient Falls version 2.0
Bridget Leach, June 2011 Review date: 31st June 2013
Management and Prevention of Non-Clinical Slips, Trips and Falls Policy v6.0
Robert Anderson, August 2012 Review date: 31st August 2015
Bed Rails Policy and Procedure v3.0
Bridget Leach, December 2008 Review date: 31st December 2011
[Access to the above Policies is available through Trust PCs]
NICE guidelines and pathways
CG161 Falls: The assessment and prevention of falls in older people
NICE, June 2013
NICE, June 2011
Map of Medicine
Map of Medicine Care Pathway, January 2013. Valid until 29th February 2013
[Access the Map with your HEFT Login ID. Map of Medicine is a visual representation of evidence-based, practice –informed pathways on various conditions and treatment options]
National Guidelines & Non-UK Guidelines (includes Professional Bodies/Associations)
Guidelines on prevent falls - with a physiotherapy focus
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, August 2012
Up and about or falling short?
National Falls Programme in association with WorksOut as part of Delivery Framework for Adult Rehabilitation in Scotland, March 2012
This is a report of the findings of a mapping of services for falls prevention and management and fracture prevention in older people in Scotland.
Report of the 2011 inpatient falls pilot audit
Royal College of Physicians, February 2012
QIPP - NHS Evidence, 25 January 2012
Essential care after an inpatient fall
NPSA/2011/RRR001 January 2011
Falling standards and broken promises
Royal College of Physicians, 2011
Prevention of inpatient falls: systematic risk assessment and reduction programme
QIPP - NHS Evidence, 22 December 2011
The Fallsafe Project using a care bundle to reduce falls in hospital
Royal College of Physicians, 2011
Reducing harm associated with falls
Patient Safety First, 2010
This site highlights the falls prevention campaign that led to the development of ‘How to Guide’ on Reducing harm from falls; compilation of case studies from NHS Trusts; useful resources to use by local NHS Trusts for staff education; and access to the ProFaNE (Prevention of Falls Network Europe) Network dedicated to the prevention of falls in Europe and beyond.
American Geriatric Society/British Geriatric Society, 2010
Management of Hip Fracture in Older People
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), 2009
WHO Global Report on Falls Prevention in Older Age
World Health Organisation, 2008
Slips, trips and falls in hospital PSO report
National Patient Safety Agency, 2007
Staying safe, preventing falls – one of the High Impact Actions
NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement
Clinical practice guideline for the assessment and prevention of falls in older people
Royal College of Nursing, 2004
Department of Health, 2003
Systematic Reviews – Cochrane Library
Interventions designed to prevent healthcare bed-related injuries in patients
Oliver Anderson*, Piers R Boshier, George B Hanna
Editorial Group: Cochrane Injuries Group
Published Online: 18 JAN 2012
Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community
Lesley D Gillespie1,*, M Clare Robertson1, William J Gillespie2, Catherine Sherrington3, Simon Gates4, Lindy M Clemson5, Sarah E Lamb4
Editorial Group: Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group
Published Online: 12 SEP 2012 Assessed as up-to-date: 1 MAR 2012
Interventions for preventing falls in older people: an overview of Cochrane Reviews
Julie E Udell1,*, Amy Drahota2, Taraneh P Dean1, Ruth Sander1, Heather Mackenzie1
Editorial Group: Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group
Published Online: 13 APR 2011
Interventions for preventing falls in older people in care facilities and hospitals
Ian D Cameron1,*, Lesley D Gillespie2, M Clare Robertson2, Geoff R Murray3, Keith D Hill4, Robert G Cumming5, Ngaire Kerse6
Editorial Group: Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group
Published Online: 12 DEC 2012 Assessed as up-to-date: 30 JUN 2012
Population-based interventions for the prevention of fall-related injuries in older people
Roderick J McClure2, Cathy Turner3, Nancye Peel4, Anneliese Spinks1,*, Elizabeth Eakin5, Karen Hughes6
Editorial Group: Cochrane Injuries Group
Published Online: 8 OCT 2008 Assessed as up-to-date: 15 MAY 2007
NHS Evidence
Review of the Evidence on Falls Prevention in Hospitals Task 4 Final Report
Hempel, Susanne, et al
Produced by RAND Corporation for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, February 2012
Clinical Knowledge Summaries, June 2009
Todd C, Skelton D. (2004) What are the main risk factors for falls among older people and what are the most effective interventions to prevent these falls? Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Health Evidence Network report, April 2004.
Further information:
The following sources have been searched for evidence published in the previous 12 months: HEFT Policies, NICE, SIGN, NHS Evidence, Cochrane Library, British Geriatric Society, Department of Health, NHS Institute of Innovation and Improvement, Royal College of Physicians and World Health Organisation Please contact [email protected] for any further information.
For more information on how to make the most use of the HEFT Library Services, visit www.heftlibrary.nhs.uk
Visit NHS Evidence www.evidence.nhs.uk to access your guidelines, Cochrane systematic reviews, journals and databases.