Figures from the health board reveal more than 1,000 people were admitted into hospital with hip fractures across North Wales within the last year.
Experts in the field - doctors Ibrahim Malek, Ian Starks and Sara Gerrie told the Leader that the vast majority of falls they see day in, day out are accidental but could be preventable with some moderate changes to lifestyle or home environment.
Dr Gerrie said: "Our jobs here at Wrexham Maelor are to help those who have already fallen and suffered an injury, which is what we would like to avoid, by educating people on the simple steps that can help reduce the risks of elderly friends and relatives having a fall.
"From some of our data, fracture hematoma could be a potentially catastrophic injury for older people, and their families. Sadly, it is common within Wales and across the UK but the chances of dying following a fracture are quite high."
Back from left; Dr Ibrahim Malek, Cindy Wakenshaw, clinical specialist in trauma and orthopaedic physiotherapy, district nurse Phyllis Hughes and nurse Katie Warbuton - Front from left; Dr Ian Starks and Dr Sara Gerrie
Dr Gerrie said despite this worrying fact, data in Wrexham appears to buck the trend, with a mortality rate of about two per cent in cases seen at the Maelor - significantly lower than the national average, ranking ninth best performer in the UK, according to the most recent National Hip Fracture Database report by the College of Physicians.
Praise was also extended to the Maelor as one of the best hospitals in England and Wales for being able to remobilise their fracture patients within a day of surgery - lending itself to the speedy recovery of most patients in more than 95 per cent of cases - and get them back into their own homes to continue recovery.
Dr Malek adds: "Pain, loss of mobility and the inability to return to their own home; these are just some of the things that makes it harder for a patient that has had a fall to deal with. But, by understanding what puts them at risk, we can take action to prevent possible injuries.
"It is also important to point people in the community towards the right direction to the advice and support available that we can provide here at the hospital."
He said falls services will vary depending upon where you live but the best point of contact will be your own (or relative/friend's) GP. Help can also come from the local authority social services team.
Dr Starks said people at risk of falls are often reluctant to discuss it because they fear their independence will be taken from them, but doctors say it is up to us as friends or relatives, to help people realise taking steps to prevent falls will in fact have the opposite effect and allow them to live both safely and independently.
Dr Gerrie added things are much different in 2020 for hip fracture patients, thanks to both medical advancements and better understanding.
She said: "Even in the last 20 years, there have been revolutionary changes in this field of medicine but, around 50 years ago, we would put these patients to bed and the vast majority of them would die. And they died in pain, from infections, from pressure sores.
"So, although fracture hematoma surgery is risky, it is better than leaving people in pain. This is a big bone, and it hurts."
She says work is ongoing within communities to be able to prevent falls.
Dr Gerrie said people need to learn that falling over at an old age is not, and should not be seen as normal.
She continues: "I think a key thing to highlight would be that we are also working to stop people from having these falls in the first place because, as the age old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. If we never see another fracture hematoma patient again, I would be delighted."
Dr Malek adds: "It is important for the community to understand hip fractures are not just a broken bone, it is a very serious and life-threatening injury. We can try our best but, regardless of what we do, that mortality rate is still high and to some extent it is comparable to some very aggressive cancers.
"Really, the key message that we want to convey here is that you must never underestimate an injury, as it could be terminal."
PANEL
MANY patients attending the Maelor having experienced a nasty fall are elderly people coming from their own homes or care homes.
But work within the health board is aiming to educate the wider community about how these accidents can potentially be avoided.
Jo Davies, BCU East community falls prevention lead, said "falling should not be seen as an inevitable part of ageing" and explains what is being done in the community to help educate people on how best to prevent falls.
She said: "It is reported that 60 per cent of people living in residential homes fall. The impact of falling can have such debilitating effects, both physically and psychologically, especially if fear of falling or loss of confidence is experienced.
"Falls risks can often be multi factorial, from reduced strength and balance, reduced vision or hearing, environmental hazards, poorly fitting footwear, changes to dietary or fluid intake."
Ms Davies adds that falls amongst the older population is a major public health concern, with one in three people over the age of 65 years having a fall each year, with that figure rising to one in two people over the age of 80.
She added: "Welsh Government wants everyone to have healthy and happier lives, and Betsi Cadwaladr is committed to working with primary care and secondary care sectors.
"Three service models have been formulated: inpatient, care home setting and those living in their own homes. These pathways are aimed at providing clear, concise, evidenced-based pathways to aid clinical assessment recognising falls risk factors and employ individualised falls prevention interventions."
She added work in the community with the falls prevention services aim to review the risks for an individual and tailor intervention to help maintain their own independence.
She said: "This could be ways to improve strength and balance, medication or medical reviews, reviewing their environment and offering home adaptions support, the importance of good fitting footwear, advice on good bone health, regular eye and hearing tests to reduce trips and slips, as well as the importance of a well-balanced diet and sufficient fluid intake to prevent dehydration or even urinary tract infections, which can so often increase the risk of falls.
"The aim is to work with our patients to look at ways we can help maintain healthier happier and safer living and since working in partnership with the care homes, we have seen a 46 per cent reduction in falls in the past 12 months."
Ms Davies also works with schools in the local area to educate the younger generation and get the family talking more openly about the risk of falling at home and pass on information and tips they have learnt to their parents, aunties, uncles and grandparents themselves.
Advice issued by the health board to help minimise the risks of falls:
Preparing your home
Good lighting in your driveway and clearing wet/dry leaves
Keep your home clutter free
Ensure your stairs are clear of any items and have sturdy railings
Don't leave loose wires or cables on the floor
Remove rugs or any slippery items
Clean fluid spillage from the floor as soon as possible
Ensure you have non-slip bath and floor mats in your bathrooms and toilets
Install grab rails in the shower, bathroom and toilets
Good bedroom lighting during the night
Look after yourself
Maintain healthy diet
Do gentle exercise to maintain muscle power and tone
Have your eyes and glasses checked regularly
If you have any problems with your balance, see your GP
Plan your activity and attire
Wear well-fitting, non-slip shoes
Put on well-fitting and warm clothes if going outside and use a walking stick if wet and windy
Stay in touch with family and friends
Have access to a mobile phone
PANEL
SOMEONE who has benefitted from the care of the Maelor's falls team is Carolyn Lloyd, from Buckley, who was admitted to the hospital following a fall at home.
The 72-year-old said she was getting out of the car when her foot got caught on the strap of her handbag and was sent crashing to the floor.
She was admitted to Wrexham Maelor on Tuesday, January 21, and went into the operating theatre for her procedure with Dr Malek on the Wednesday. By Thursday afternoon Mrs Lloyd was moving about with the aid of a walking frame and on the road to recovery.
Wrexham Maelor patient Carolyn Lloyd, from Buckley, with Dr Ibrahim Malek
Mrs Lloyd described herself as being reasonably active and would never have considered herself a typical risk of falling.
She said: "It just goes to show you that it can happen to anyone and we all need to be aware of little things around us that can cause us to trip over and take away our mobility.
"It takes something like this happening to you to become much more aware of it, I will certainly be telling my friends and family about little things that could be hazards and lead to a hospital trip. I notice them now much more as potential hazards since my accident.
"It is often just silly little things, often when you're rushing or just not thinking. We take things like mobility for granted. It can all happen in just a minute, so you just have to be aware, it can happen so easily. I know that I will be ever so careful from now on."
See the article here:
Meet the team who are working on falls prevention at Wrexham Maelor Hospital - LeaderLive
