| Project Objectives / Summary:
A national innovative seeding grant was approved in 1999 to develop a state-wide Injury and Prevention Control Program across all divisions in South Australia. The project focussed on femoral neck fractures in the elderly after extensive literature research and comprehensive consultation across all SA divisions.
The project had five main objectives:
- Literature Review
- Division's Consultation
- Consultation with key stakeholders
- Conduct a state-wide Injury Prevention and Control Forum; and
- Implementation Plan specific to injury prevention and control for consideration in Round Two funding.
Project Collaboration:
The project was successful in collaborating with the following groups:
- All fourteen state-wide Divisions of General Practice
- General Practitioners
- Injury prevention SA
- National Injury Surveillance Unit
- Epidemiology Branch, Department of Human Services
- Gently Physical
- Flinders Medical Centre, Falls in the Elderly Project
- Royal Adelaide Hospital, Hip Protectors Project
- Repatriation Hospital, Falls in the Elderly Project
- Royal Adelaide Hospital, Research Partnerships in Injury Research Project
Project Outcomes:
A brief research of the more relevant types of injury experienced by GPs in the practice setting was conducted throughout the state. Due to data collected in the GP evaluation, the literature research was predominantly limited to falls in the elderly at home and proven methods of intervention and incidence reduction.
SADI was able to consult with all fourteen SA divisions and many of their GPs in order to identify areas of need and major achievements within injury prevention. All agreed that a program relating to falls in the elderly was both topical and relevant to GPs in the practice setting regardless of geographical location.
During the project SADI was able to develop good working relationships with many key stakeholders.
SADI achieved an excellent representation of divisions, GPs and other interested parties at the state wide Injury Prevention and Control Forum. The forum also gave key stakeholders the opportunity to agree to and support a state wide proposal and endorse SADI acting as a central coordinator.
SADI submitted a Round Two proposal for a 24-month project covering "Femoral Neck Fracture Prevention in the Elderly at Home" but was unsuccessful.
The Epidemiology Branch Department of Human Services has established the identity of the target group, those elderly (>65 years) living at home, the incidence and site of falls, and the measures of intervention that have proven efficacious. The Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) has designed an affordable and acceptable hip protection kit encompassing the measures outlined by the Epidemiology Branch. The kits consist of four proven efficacious measures in preventing injurious falls in the elderly. They include hip protectors, information and directions for GPs and patients in the use of Vitamin D with calcium, appropriate and effective physical exercise regimes for the elderly, and recommendations for home modification.
Recommendations:
- The costs related to repair of femoral neck fractures is enormous. The costs born by hospitals, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes and loss of independence indicate there is potential for large gains to be made economically and from a population health perspective. A program of this nature can assist all elderly people as long as access to a GP is encouraged and maintained.
Disseminating Project Information:
- Frequent updates in through SADI and Divisional Newsletters
- State Wide Injury Prevention and Control Forum, Adelaide SA 18th February 2000
- Several CME (Continuing Medical Education) events organised by local divisions
Lessons:
Divisions, GPs and key stakeholders were able to remain focused and committed to the project due to its relevance to all GPs regardless of geographical location. The level of consultation of GPs and key stakeholders was another contributing factor to the sustainability of this project. |
