Fall Related InjuriesAmong the senior community, falls can create injuries that result in emergency room visits.

The following services are known to be e�ective for fall prevention and can be o�ered by a physical therapist as integral members of the multidisciplinary care team in an emergency room environment.

Screening for: falls and providing comprehensive fall risk assessments known fall risk factors such as depression, urinary incontinence, delirium and cognitive impairment signs of uncompensated congestive heart failure or other cardiopulmonary symptoms signs of physical abuse

Screening for and assessing for: frailty and deconditioning osteoporosis complaints of dizziness and lightheadedness

Providing assessment and management of pain

Performing comprehensive neurological screens and assessments

Providing comprehensive musculoskeletal and integumentary assessments

Determining the need for assistive devices or other adaptive equipment

Assessing and interpreting vital signs

Prescribing interventions for: the management of positional vertigo fall management and fall risk prevention fracture management and bone health

Providing medication reviews

Providing home environment assessments

Determining family and social support

Bottom LineBased on these services, models of multidisciplinary care in emergency departments that include physical therapists have the potential to impact hospital lengths of stay, hospital admissions, nursing home admissions, and hospital readmissions.

Physical Therapists as Vital Members of the Emergency Room Team

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Issues & Fall Prevention webpage

Florida Physical Therapy Association2104 Delta Way, Ste. 7, Tallahassee, FL 32303

Phone: 850.222.1243 | Fax: 850.224.5281

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