Introduction
Falls are a major health concern in the U.S. In fact, 30% of people over 65 living at home experience falling. For nursing home residents, the frequency of falls jumps to 60%. Often overlooked and under-utilized is further investigation into other potential causes for the fall, such as cardiac conditions (arrhythmia, bradycardia, heart block, etc).
Falls are one of the most common incidents in the Nursing Home setting. The reasons for the falls are numerous and include: disorientation, lack of coordination, weakness, orthostatic hypotension and fracture. They are the number one reason for Occurrence Reports and utilize an excessive amount of nursing time and resources. Once this occurs, a standard protocol is usually followed. Vital signs, neurological checks, pulse ox readings and blood sugars are accompanied by periodic assessments following the incident.
Just as important, but often overlooked and under-utilized, is further investigation into other potential causes for the fall. For example, cardiovascular testing may be helpful. As residents age, latent disease processes manifest themselves. How many times have you heard “Uncle Tom just had a heart attack…I never knew he even had a heart problem”.
Cardiac arrhythmias may be a cause to a fall incident. Bradycardia (the slowing of the heart beat below 60 bpm) or heart block cause a decrease in cardiac output, subsequent drop of blood pressure and can result in a de-compensated condition and a fall. While this is a very legitimate condition, cardiac testing, such as Prolonged Holter monitoring, is rarely utilized for the resident experiencing their first fall. This is a simple, non-invasive test, which allows for rapid result reporting, immediate treatment and prevention of future falls.
Another potential cardiac origin to a fall is wrong dosage of medications. For example, while a long-term resident may have had a gradual weight loss over a period of several years, dosage for medication with Beta Blockers is not adjusted. In turn, the resident is inadvertently overdosed for the current weight or kidney/liver functioning. This again can be uncovered with the use of Prolonged Holter Monitoring - a readily available, standard of care for the diagnosis of syncope.
Lev Diagnostics offers Holter Monitoring for your residents without having to leave your facility! Our staff applies and removes the monitor within 24 hours of receiving the order (often, application occurs on the same day). Results are provided within 24 hours from the removal of the monitor. Families are very comforted knowing that an evaluation is done soon after the incident occurs.
Some facilities have now incorporated consideration for Holter monitoring into their “fall protocol” for first time falls.
To identify or rule out cardiac conditions for frequent fallers, consider Prolonged Holter Monitoring, which allows for:
- rapid result reporting;
- immediate treatment;
- prevention of future falls.
Take immediate action for rapid results!
To request this in-house cardiac monitoring, contact Lev Diagnostics at (800)564-5270
