@article{20256,
  author = {Sherrington Catherine and Close J. and Tiedemann Anne and Mikolaizak A. and Segin K. and Lord S.},
  title = {Older fallers attended to by an ambulance but not transported to hospital: a vulnerable population at high risk of future falls},
  abstract = {<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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},
  year = {2013},
  journal = {Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {37},
  edition = {2013/04/05},
  number = {2},
  pages = {179-85},
  isbn = {1753-6405 (Electronic)1326-0200 (Linking)},
  note = {Tiedemann, AnneMikolaizak, A StefanieSherrington, CatherineSegin, KerrieLord, Stephen RClose, Jacqueline C TAustraliaAust N Z J Public Health. 2013 Apr;37(2):179-85. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12037.},
  language = {eng},
}