Integrating proven falls prevention interventions into government programs

Objective: To identify Department of Health programs with high potential to integrate evidence-based interventions to prevent falls among older people. Methods: Broad consultation within the Department followed by structured decision making. This work was informed by an analysis of Victorian hospital separations data and a Cochrane Systematic Review to identify relevant target groups and interventions. Ranking of the integration potential of interventions for a broad range of Department program areas was achieved through a facilitated workshop. A short list of program areas was then developed and scored, using pre-defined criteria, for their match with the interventions. Results: The ranked order of interventions, from most to least suitable for integration, were: multifactorial risk assessment and intervention; multi-component group exercise; medication review; occupational therapy-based home safety; home-based exercise; and first eye cataract surgery. Four of six program areas had a strong match (a score of >= 75% of the maximum score) with one or more of three interventions. Two program areas (Primary Care Partnerships, and Home and Community Care) had strong matches with three interventions (group-and home-based exercise; occupational therapy-based home safety) and were selected as priority areas. The Hospital Admissions Risk Program had strong and good matches respectively with home-based exercise and medication review, and was also selected. Conclusions: Our systematic methods identified Department programs with strong potential for integration of proven falls prevention interventions. Implications: Matching departmental programs and evidence-based interventions for integration may lead to more efficient resource allocation for falls prevention in Victoria.