Modifying the Geriatric Acute & Post-acute Care Coordination Program for Fall Prevention in the Emergency Department for Telehealth

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, DENVER · Jun 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help older adults who have fallen and come to the emergency room. The study looks at using telehealth—meaning visits by phone or video—to provide physical therapy and medication advice right from the emergency department. The goal is to see if this remote approach can work well in a community hospital and if it helps reduce the chance of falling again within six months.

To join the study, participants need to be 65 years or older, living at home or in a similar setting, and have visited the emergency room after a fall that wasn’t caused by serious illness or injury like a stroke or broken bones. People who are confused or too injured to move won’t be able to join. If eligible, participants will receive physical therapy and medication consultations through telehealth while in the emergency room, then have follow-up phone visits for six months. They will also be asked to complete some questionnaires during this time to help the researchers learn more. This study is not yet enrolling participants, but it aims to make fall prevention easier and more accessible for older adults after an emergency visit.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Community-dwelling adult (non-institutionalized) 65 years-old or older presenting to ED after a fall
• • Fall not due to syncope or external force (i.e., struck by car or assault)
• • Fall not due to serious illness (i.e., stroke, acute myocardial infarction)
• • Will be discharged to home/assisted living/rehabilitation at completion of ED visit (i.e., not admitted)
• • Proxy available to give informed consent if patient lacks capacity
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Unable to give informed consent due to intoxication or acute change in mental status
• • Presence of injuries that prevent mobilization (i.e., pelvic or lower extremity fractures)