Assessment and prevention of falls in older people
Intended for healthcare professionals
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Assessment and prevention of falls in older people

Wendy Barker Deputy chief nurse, Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group

Following the amalgamation of two guidelines, Wendy Barker offers an interpretation of revised advice on this crucial aspect of care

In June 2013 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence updated and replaced its 2004 clinical guideline 21 (CG21) on falls with clinical guideline 161 (CG161). Two priorities were outlined in the latter: preventing falls in older people (unchanged from CG21) and preventing falls in older people during a hospital stay (new). CG161 is for health and social care clinicians who care for older people who have fallen or who are at risk of falling. It provides clinicians and commissioners with evidence to implement effective care pathways and recommendations on the assessment and prevention of falls in older people.

The amalgamation of the two guidelines has resulted in some disconnection. This article summarises the evidence and supports clinicians in the interpretation of the revised falls guideline.

Nursing Older People. 26, 6, 18-24. doi: 10.7748/nop.26.6.18.e586

Correspondence

wendy.barker5@nhs.net

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 24 March 2014

Accepted: 13 May 2014

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