The Purpose and Core Elements of the STEADI Initiative
The STEADI Coordinated Care Plan is an integral part of the larger CDC STEADI initiative, which stands for Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries. The primary goal of this initiative is to equip healthcare providers with the tools and resources necessary to help prevent falls among their older patients by offering a standardized, evidence-based approach. The STEADI initiative is structured around three core elements that form a systematic clinical approach:
- Screen: Regularly screen older patients for fall risk using simple questions about recent falls, unsteadiness, or worry about falling.
- Assess: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of modifiable risk factors for patients identified as being at risk. This includes reviewing medications, testing gait and balance, and checking for conditions like postural hypotension and vitamin D deficiency.
- Intervene: Provide tailored interventions based on the assessment to reduce fall risk. These can involve patient education, medication adjustments, exercise, vision checks, and addressing home safety.
A Framework for Implementation: The Coordinated Care Plan
The STEADI Coordinated Care Plan provides a roadmap for healthcare systems to implement a STEADI-based fall prevention program. It offers practical guidance on integrating practices into a clinical workflow, emphasizing a team-based approach involving the entire healthcare team. Key aspects of the implementation framework include:
- Assessing Clinic Readiness: Tools help evaluate a practice's capacity and identify barriers to integration.
- Identifying a Champion: A dedicated fall prevention champion within the practice is crucial for leading implementation.
- Training Staff: The entire care team receives training on their roles in the fall prevention workflow.
- Adapting Workflow: Suggestions are provided for incorporating fall prevention into existing procedures, such as using electronic health records (EHR).
Components of the Coordinated Care Plan
The full Coordinated Care Plan is a comprehensive toolkit with various materials to support program implementation and evaluation. These components aim to streamline the process for providers:
- Implementation Guide: A detailed, 12-step guide for integrating the program.
- Training Materials: Resources for training staff on fall risk and practical assessments like the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.
- Algorithm and Forms: Standardized forms and the STEADI algorithm to guide the screen-assess-intervene process.
- Patient Education Handouts: Pre-made materials for patients and caregivers.
- Evaluation Guide: A document to help practices measure program success and identify areas for improvement.
- Tele-Med Adaptation: A version of the plan for telemedicine environments.
Comparison of Standard vs. Coordinated Care in Fall Prevention
The table below outlines key differences between a standard approach to fall prevention and the STEADI Coordinated Care Plan.
| Feature | Standard Fall Prevention | STEADI Coordinated Care Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Screening | Often ad-hoc or inconsistent. | Standardized, routine screening for all older adults, using specific criteria. |
| Assessment | May be limited. Often lacks standardized functional tests. | Comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of multiple risk factors. |
| Intervention | Based on individual provider's knowledge. | Structured, multi-faceted interventions tailored to identified risks. Emphasizes referrals to proven resources. |
| Implementation | Left to individual practitioners, leading to variability. | Provides a step-by-step framework for system-wide implementation. |
| Team Involvement | Relies primarily on the physician. | Engages the entire healthcare team. |
| Evaluation | Rarely measured or tracked. | Includes a dedicated Evaluation Guide to measure and report on program success. |
Conclusion: The Benefits of a Structured Approach
Adopting the STEADI Coordinated Care Plan enables healthcare providers to transition from reactive to proactive, preventative care. By offering a clear framework for screening, assessing, and intervening, the plan standardizes fall prevention across a clinical practice. This systematic approach reduces fall-related injuries and healthcare costs while improving the quality of life and independence for older adults. Implementing the STEADI plan fosters team collaboration, leading to more consistent and effective fall prevention efforts. The CDC provides all STEADI resources, including the Coordinated Care Plan, free of charge.
Additional Resources
For more information and to access the complete toolkit, visit the CDC's official STEADI website.
- CDC's STEADI Initiative: https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/index.html
What is the STEADI Coordinated Care Plan? Key takeaways
- CDC Initiative: The STEADI Coordinated Care Plan is a resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help healthcare providers prevent falls in older adults.
- Comprehensive Framework: It offers healthcare practices a step-by-step framework for implementing and evaluating an evidence-based fall prevention program.
- Three Core Elements: The plan is based on the core STEADI process: Screen all older patients for fall risk, Assess modifiable risk factors, and Intervene with targeted strategies.
- Team-Based Approach: The plan emphasizes that all members of a healthcare team—from physicians to administrative staff—have a role in preventing patient falls.
- Streamlined Implementation: It includes guidance on how to assess a clinic's readiness, identify a project champion, train staff, and integrate fall prevention into existing workflows.
- Reduces Falls and Costs: The plan helps reduce the incidence of falls, improve health outcomes for older adults, and lower overall healthcare expenditures related to fall injuries.
- Free Resources: All STEADI resources, including the Coordinated Care Plan and patient materials, are available at no cost from the CDC.
