Drafting an Evidence-Based Fall-Prevention Workplace Policy

Important caveat, to be stated explicitly at the start of the lesson and in its summary: the USPSTF evidence covers community-dwelling adults aged 65 and over (not known to have osteoporosis or vitamin D deficiency). It was not studied in patients inside hospitals or other healthcare facilities, so applying it to a healthcare-facility workplace policy is an adaptation of the evidence, not a direct application of the USPSTF recommendation. With that caveat stated, combine the USPSTF evidence with the policy-writing steps to draft a fall-prevention workplace policy. It should include a SMART goal, risk-identification procedures, exercise-first and selective multifactorial interventions, no routine vitamin D for fall prevention, proportional consequences, clear and lawful language, and staff sign-off and access after approval. Sources: jama_grossman_2018_us_180002 (material 16) and writingcompanypolicy1 (material 20).