Andrew Nugent, MD
andrew-nugent@uiowa.edu

Research Team and Collaborators:
Dionne Skeete (Principal Investigator)
Kent Choi
Michelle Alpen
ED Social Workers
UI Nurse Practitioners

Research Areas:
Injury prevention
Falls in the elderly
ED-based intervention

Project Summary: In Iowa, falls are a leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits and the second leading cause of death. The risk of fall-related injuries is significantly higher in elderly patients 65 years of age and older. The goal of our study is to test screening and intervention tools that are delivered in the ED. The screening tool is designed to identify patients at particular risk for fall-related injuries, and the intervention is designed to reduce this risk. For elderly patients who have already suffered a fall, a more comprehensive evaluation and home-based intervention will be provided by nurse practitioners.