STEADI-Rx Helps Coordinate Care between Community Pharmacists & Healthcare Providers

STEADI-Rx Helps Coordinate Care between Community Pharmacists & Healthcare Providers

More than half of older adults, age 65 and older, take at least one medicine that can increase fall risk.  In 2017, falls accounted for about 3 million emergency department visits, 900,000 hospitalizations, and 30,000 deaths  among older adults. The U.S. older adult population is growing rapidly, which will result in more falls and higher demands on the healthcare system. As medication experts, community pharmacists can help address these  issues by working with older adults to reduce their fall risk.

In partnership with the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine, CDC is introducing STEADI-Rx, a pharmacy initiative to reduce the risk of falls in older adults by encouraging collaboration between healthcare providers and pharmacists. STEADI-Rx resources include:

• An Algorithm, or flowchart, outlining how pharmacists can conduct fall risk screening, assessment, and care coordination.
• A Falls Risk Checklist.
• Provider Forms to help pharmacists share information with patients’ healthcare providers.
• Pharmacy flyers with information for healthcare providers about STEADI-Rx.
• Pharmacy auxiliary labels for medication bottles, that promote STEADI-Rx and encourage fall prevention discussion with pharmacists.
• CDC STAND STEADI video: Community Pharmacists Support Fall Prevention featuring Stefanie Ferreri, PharmD with the University of North Carolina, Eshelman School of Pharmacy. This video is part of the STAND STEADI series and highlights how pharmacists can help reduce fall risk among older adults. 

Community pharmacists can help older adults reduce their risk of falling – learn how STEADI-Rx can help.