02054nas a2200193   4500000000100000008004100001100002600042700001300068700001900081700001800100700001300118700001200131245013200143250001500275300001100290490000700301520150600308020004601814       2013                            d1 aSherrington Catherine1 aClose J.1 aTiedemann Anne1 aMikolaizak A.1 aSegin K.1 aLord S.00aOlder fallers attended to by an ambulance but not transported to hospital: a vulnerable population at high risk of future falls  a2013/04/05  a179-850 v373 a<p>
Objective : This prospective cohort study describes older non-transported fallers seen by the Ambulance Service of New South Wales (ASNSW), quantifies the level of risk and identifies predictors of future falls and ambulance use. Methods : Participants were 262 people aged 70 years or older with a fall-related ASNSW attendance who were not transported to an emergency department. They completed a questionnaire about health, medical and physical factors previously associated with falling. Falls were monitored for six months after ambulance attendance with monthly fall calendars. Results : Participants had a high prevalence of chronic medical conditions, functional limitations and past falls. During follow-up, 145 participants (58%) experienced 488 falls. Significant predictors of falls during follow-up were three or more falls in the past year, being unable to walk more than 10 minutes without resting, and requiring assistance for personal-care activities of daily living (ADLs). Sixty-two participants (25%) required repeat, fall-related ambulance attendance during the study. Predictors of repeat ambulance use were: 3+ falls in past year, requiring assistance for personal-care ADLs and having disabling pain in past month. Conclusions : Older, non-transported fallers seen by the ASNSW are a vulnerable population with high rates of chronic health conditions. Implications : Onward referral for preventive interventions may reduce future falls and ambulance service calls.
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