Impact of STEADI-Rx: A Community Pharmacy-Based Fall Prevention Intervention

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Falls are a major health concern for older adults, increasing morbidity and mortality.
• Medications are significant contributors to fall risk in the elderly population.
• Community pharmacies offer accessible settings for health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the STEADI-Rx intervention in reducing fall risk and the use of high-risk medications.
• To assess the feasibility of implementing a fall prevention program in community pharmacies.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 65 community pharmacies in North Carolina.
• 10,565 adults aged 65 years and older using multiple or high-risk medications were included.
• The intervention involved pharmacist-led medication reviews based on the STEADI algorithm.

Main Results:

• 73% of intervention participants were screened, and 72% of those with positive screens received medication reviews.
• 27% of reviewed participants had medication recommendations made to their healthcare providers.
• No significant differences in fall risk or high-risk medication use were observed between intervention and control groups.

Conclusions:

• The STEADI-Rx intervention was successfully implemented in community pharmacies.
• The intervention did not lead to significant reductions in fall risk or the use of medications associated with increased fall risk.
• Community pharmacy-based fall prevention programs may require refinement to demonstrate efficacy.