Authors: (including presenting author): :
Cheung YHT (2), Law TC (1), Kwok SLC (1), Poon WS (1), Chan WMJ (1), Cheung CMB (1), Wong KCV (2), Wong SYH (2), Chiu KCP (1)
Affiliation: :
(1) Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital (2) Department of Pharmacy, Queen Mary Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Fall prevention
Keyword 2: :
Falls Risk Increasing Drugs
Keyword 3: :
Polypharmacy
Keyword 4: :
Quality Improvement
Keyword 5: :
Multi-disciplinary
Keyword 6: :
Clinical Pharmacist
Introduction: :
Falls are a major cause of morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs among elderly. While falls are multi-factorial, one of the most important modifiable factors is the use of Fall Risk–Increasing Drugs (FRIDs). This study aimed to evaluate the role of Clinical Ward Pharmacists’ interventions by using the FRIDs assessment tool through multidisciplinary approach in preventing falls in QMH.
Objectives: :
(1) To assist healthcare team to identify medications which may increase patients’ fall risk through using the FRIDs assessment tool (2) To assess patients’ symptoms associated with FRIDs and provide medication reviews in collaboration with healthcare team for those patients with high fall risks (3) To increase ward staff awareness and knowledge of FRIDs on fall prevention
Methodology: :
A prospective pilot study was conducted for elderly patients with (1) Morse Fall Scale (MFS) ≥45; (2) age ≥65 years and (3) polypharmacy (≥4 regular medications) admitted to 6 medical wards of QMH from the 2nd October 2025 to the 31st December 2025. Clinical Ward Pharmacists performed pre-fall FRIDs screening to review medication profiles using the FRIDs assessment tool to identify FRIDs. Identified FRIDs were communicated to the healthcare team and recommendations were provided. Also, the fall assessment using FRIDs assessment tool was promulgated to medical and nursing staff within 4Q 2025. Acceptance of Clinical Ward Pharmacists’ interventions relating to FRIDs was evaluated.
Result & Outcome: :
During the study period, 348 patients (in the 6 medical admission wards were screened by the Clinical Ward Pharmacists. Of these, 17 patients (mean age: 79.8, 41.2% female; mean MFS: 67.7 and mean number of drugs: 9.6) were recommended to case medical officers for medication modification of FRIDs. Most of the FRIDs involved are antihypertensives (11/17), followed by anticholinergics and antimuscarinics (3/17), opioids (1/17), sedative and hypnotics (Z-drugs) (1/17) and urological alpha-blockers (1/17). All of the Clinical Ward Pharmacists’ interventions were accepted by case medical officers. The interventions involved delete of FRIDs (8/17), adjust the doses pf FRIDs (7/17) and change to alternative drugs (2/17). None of these cases reported falls during hospital stay.
