Ready Steady Go! Long term service evaluation of a group-based falls prevention service.
Shilpa Kundarapu1, Emma Browne1, Lina Lee1, Bachar Kaddaj1, Marie March2, Damien Vassallo1
1Western Sydney Local Health District, Rehabilitation, Aged care and Stroke Services, Blacktown, NSW, Australia
2Western Sydney Local Health District, Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital, Blacktown, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Background:
Falls cost the Australian health system over $2.3 billion in 2020. Exercise is an effective prevention strategy; however, real-world evaluations of falls prevention services are lacking. We conducted a service evaluation of the Ready Steady Go falls prevention program.
Methods:
Service evaluation of the Ready Steady Go outpatient falls prevention service in Western Sydney from 2016-2022. Older adults at risk of falls were referred to an 8-week exercise class. Outcomes include Berg Balance Scale, Five-times Sit-to-Stand, Timed Up and Go, Functional reach and Self-reported falls efficacy. Paired t-tests compare scores before and after the program. Service outcomes include referrals, uptake, attendance rates, safety and implementation costs.
Results:
N=279 participants, mean age 80 (SD 9), 58% female.
Clinically and statistically significant improvements were observed for all patient outcomes, including Berg Balance Scale (MD 9.7, 95%CI 8.97-10.39, p<0.001), five-times sit-to-stand (N=153 MD 4.3 95%CI 3.07-5.59, p<0.001), Timed Up and Go (MD 3.59 95%CI 3.04 to 4.14, p<0.001), functional reach (N=193, MD 4.64, 95%CI 5.78 to 3.41, p<0.001). Self-reported falls efficacy also improved (p<0.001).
Service outcomes: 860 referrals with mean waiting time 54 days. 166 people referred did not start or complete the program. 3111 occasions of service were recorded with a did-not-attend rate of 24%. Three minor safety incidents were noted.
Funding generated by the service over six years (2022-3 rates) was $620 202 ($1940 per person on completion). Staff costs over the six years 2022-3 salary were $313 001.
Conclusion:
Ready Steady Go is a safe, effective, and cost-effective service.
Biography
I am Shilpa Kundarapu. I studied my Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Master of Physiotherapy (Neurology) from overseas. I am working and living in Australia for the past 10years. I worked in Aged care facilities for 3years and currently I have been working for NSW health for the last 7years in Rehabilitation, Aged care and Stoke services at Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital, its been really amazing working with wonderful people around. I worked as a clinical assessor with Australian Physiotherapy Council for few years.