Multiple long-term conditions: falls risk assessment
Indicator
The percentage of patients (aged 65 years and over) with moderate or severe frailty who have been asked whether they have had a fall, about the total number of falls and about the type of falls, in the last 12 months.
Indicator type
General practice indicator suitable for use in the Quality and Outcomes Framework.
This document does not represent formal NICE guidance. For a full list of NICE indicators, see our menu of indicators.
To find out how to use indicators and how we develop them, see our NICE indicator process guide.
Rationale
Falls in older people are a costly and often preventable health issue. Reducing falls and associated injuries is important for maintaining health and wellbeing amongst older people. Falling has an impact on quality of life, health and healthcare costs. People 65 years and over have the highest risk of falling.
A history of falls in the past year is a risk factor for falls and is a predictor of further falls. This indicator is intended to identify people who would benefit from falls prevention advice.
Source guidance
Falls in older people: assessing risk and prevention. NICE guideline CG161 (2013), recommendations 1.1.1.1 and 1.1.2.2
Specification
Numerator: The number of patients in the denominator who have been asked whether they have had a fall, about the total number of falls and about the type of falls, in the last 12 months.
Denominator: The number of patients (aged 65 years and over) with moderate or severe frailty.
Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.
Exclusions: People aged under 65 years.
Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess performance at individual general practice level.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-5962-4