March 4, 2009
BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) is playing a leading role in the launch of a new pilot project aimed at helping seniors reduce their risk of falls and injuries. Introduced in the BCAS Maple Ridge station on February 1, 2009, the pilot involves partners at Fraser Health, the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society and the Ridge Meadows Fall Prevention Society.
The new initiative is part of the Emergency Medical Services and Health Authority (HA) Fall Prevention Collaborative, which aims to provide those seniors who have actively declined transport to hospital after a fall of any kind with fall prevention education material and an option for a referral to the appropriate HA Falls Prevention Program.
"When paramedics respond to a senior who has fallen, they are often in a position to determine if the individual is at risk for future falls," said BCAS Maple Ridge Unit Chief, Bob Sutherland. "Through this project, paramedics can act as the first step in getting these patients the help and support they need to prevent further falls and injury."
In 2007/08, traumatic falls or back injuries accounted for 10-12% of the calls attended by BCAS paramedics, with most patients 65 years and older and only 27% resulting in transport to hospital.
"Falls-related injuries represent an enormous human and financial cost to Canadians, accounting for several thousand deaths and more than $3.2 billion in healthcare costs every year," said Fabio Feldman, Program Manager for the Fraser Health Fall and Injury prevention Initiative. "That's three times the cost of injuries related to car accidents in the seniors age group."
Seniors who have refused hospital transport typically are not referred on to community services to mitigate the high risk of future falls, resulting in repeat ambulance calls. Through this program, when transport is actively refused, BCAS paramedics complete a simple referral form. This form is then faxed to a designated local HA community service who provides the appropriate services to prevent future ambulance calls, emergency department visits and hospital admissions.
