Evaluation of a health service delivery intervention to promote falls prevention in older people across the care continuum

Abstract

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of falls and fall-related injuries in older age is predicted to increase concomitantly with global population ageing, representing a serious challenge to health care systems. In spite of the availability of policy and practice guidelines for the prevention of falls and fall-related injuries, a considerable gap remains between best practice and current health service delivery. This paper describes the method and results of the implementation and evaluation of a state-wide workforce enhancement strategy to promote the uptake of evidence-based falls prevention activities for older people. METHODS: The project was undertaken in Queensland, Australia in 2008 across the community, acute and residential aged care sectors. Six Falls Safety Officers (FSOs) were appointed to implement a 1-year pilot of strategies aimed at enhancing workforce capacity to deliver a coordinated approach to falls prevention across the care continuum. The project was independently evaluated for process, impact and outcome. Both quantitative and qualitative data were extracted from records maintained by the FSOs for the evaluation and additional data were obtained from interviews with key stakeholders. RESULTS: Considerable progress was achieved towards the project's objectives, including the wide dissemination of information and resources, as well as the establishment of working groups to continue falls prevention planning and implementation. Barriers and facilitators to the project's implementation were identified. CONCLUSION: The formal evaluation provides evidence for the development of a cross-continuum service delivery model for implementing coordinated state-wide falls prevention strategies for the prevention of falls in older people.