| Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation | Interventions to Reduce Risk of Falls by US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) | |
| Description | World Health Organization reports falls as a major public health accident that cause unwarranted injuries and death among those above 60 years. Fall Prevention policies aim at identifying, preventing and managing the factors identified to increase risk for falls. US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends a series of interventions to prevent falls among community-dwelling adults who are above 65 years of age and with increased risk for falls. These interventions include exercises, vitamin D supplementation and multi-factorial interventions (US Preventive Services Task Force, 2018). | |
| How was the success of the program or policy measured? | To measure the effectiveness of the recommendations, USPSTF reviewed 62 trials on utilization of exercises, multi-factorial interventions, psychological interventions and vitamin D dieting to prevent falls. Studies were grouped based on specific intervention applied, and results analyzed statistically based on the evidence inferred. Evaluation of this policy, conducted by USPSTF, occurs after its implementation. | |
| How many people were reached by the program or policy selected? How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected? | The policy recommendation was objective towards addressing risk of falls among community-dwelling adults, who are above 65 years. The policy provided a guide to clinicians, nurses and other care givers in the provision of safe and quality care among the elderly. Evaluation of the policy establishes a moderate net benefit to the elderly, by reducing their risk of falls through exercising, applying multi-factorial interventions and supplementing diet with vitamin D. | |
| What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation? | USPSTF evaluation reviewed 62 clinical trials to assess evidence of various interventions in reducing risk of falls among community-dwelling adults. The evaluation also sought recommendations made by American Geriatrics Society and National Institute On Aging. | |
| What specific information on unintended consequences were identified? | USPSTF found additional interventions including environmental adjustments, medical management and multiple interventions that helped reduce risk of falls but with weak evidence. The effect of the recommended interventions onto the client’s functionality and quality of life was unknown. | |
| What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples. | Physical physiotherapists, caregivers, nurses, clinicians and nutritionists are involved in multidisciplinary application of multi-factorial interventions. These interventions could include medical management, dieting, physical exercises, psychological therapy and environmental adjustments.Evaluation of exercises in risk prevention by USPSTF was conducted based on clinical trials that applied exercises, vitamin D supplementation or multi-factorial interventions. From the evaluation, exercises were found to be evidently efficacious compared to vitamin D supplementation and multi-factorial interventions (US Preventive Services Task Force, 2018). The policy offers significant benefits to community-dwelling adults at risk of falls. Practice of exercises as recommended reduces risk of falls among these adults, hence assuring safe stay. | |
| Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not? | The fall prevention recommendation by USPSTF has showed significant effectiveness with the use of exercises. Follow-up studies evaluating its effectiveness recommend exercise as an effective intervention in preventing falls among the elderly (Zhao et al, 2019; Ng et al, 2019). | |
| Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not? | Exercises help in muscle strengthening, establishing gait and balance, increasing bone mass and subsequently reducing risk of falls. This practice would therefore enormously improve
Online class and exam helpStruggling with online classes or exams? Get expert help to ace your coursework, assignments, and tests stress-free! |