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52/100

✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 52 out of 100. Clinical safety

Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies

In total, 945 were included patients, and 28.1% (n = 266) had dementia. The median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 5 (IQR: 4-7). Geriatric screening assessment for fall risk, cognitive impairment, delirium, and functional impairment varied greatly between sites (0%-99%). A therapist was consulted for 16.1% (n = 152, range: 0.5%-39.5% between sites). PT was consulted for 11.7% (n = 111, range: 0.5%-21.0% between sites), and OT was consulted for 7.1% (n = 67, range: 1.0%-21.0% between sites). PT and OT consults were high-yield for 75.7% and 77.6% of patients, respectively: disposition recommendation (35.1%, n = 39; 31.3%, n = 21), home health therapy referral (35.1%, n = 39; 44.8%, n = 30), new durable medical equipment (21.6%, n = 24; 23.9%, n = 16), and symptom control (26.1%, n = 29; 7.5%, n = 5). ED PT/OT consultations added to the care plan for most patients. There remains a care gap from guideline recommendations as most older adults in the ED for a fall are not receiving therapist consultation.

Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris

APA 7th

Southerland, L. T., Chesko, D. M., Arendts, G., Kennedy, M., Liu, S. W., Lee, S., et al. (2025). Outcomes of Physical and Occupational Therapy Evaluation in the Emergency Department for Older Adults With Falls: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort. Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acepjo.2025.100141

Vancouver

Southerland LT, Chesko DM, Arendts G, Kennedy M, Liu SW, Lee S, et al. Outcomes of Physical and Occupational Therapy Evaluation in the Emergency Department for Older Adults With Falls: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort. Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.acepjo.2025.100141. PMID: 40485881.

BibTeX

@article{southerland2025-40485881,
  author  = {Southerland, Lauren T. and Chesko, David M. and Arendts, Glenn and Kennedy, Maura and Liu, Shan W. and Lee, Sangil and Quadoura, Nadine and McLoughlin, Kara and others},
  title   = {{Outcomes of Physical and Occupational Therapy Evaluation in the Emergency Department for Older Adults With Falls: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort}},
  journal = {Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open},
  year    = {2025},
  doi     = {10.1016/j.acepjo.2025.100141},
  pmid    = {40485881},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acepjo.2025.100141}
}

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Key findings

In total, 945 were included patients, and 28.1% (n = 266) had dementia.
The median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 5 (IQR: 4-7).
Geriatric screening assessment for fall risk, cognitive impairment, delirium, and functional impairment varied greatly between sites (0%-99%).
A therapist was consulted for 16.1% (n = 152, range: 0.5%-39.5% between sites).
PT was consulted for 11.7% (n = 111, range: 0.5%-21.0% between sites), and OT was consulted for 7.1% (n = 67, range: 1.0%-21.0% between sites).

Why it matters

This retrospective multicentre cohort found that physical and occupational therapy consultations in the emergency department for older adults with falls were high-yield for most patients, but most patients did not receive a therapist consultation. It is about fall care in the emergency department, not about treating, curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.

Study details

Study designcohort study
Participants266
Effect size28.1%; or 16.1; 0.5%
Evidence strengthModerate

How this study scored 52/100

Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a cohort study following people over time. Scored zero for randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.

Component	Points	Why
Journal tier	7 / 10	Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open)
Journal's citation record	0 / 4	Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open: journal h-index 39 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29)
Study design	7 / 12	A cohort study following people over time
Strength of evidence	3 / 5	Rated “moderate” in our summary
Peer-review validation	10 / 10	Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal.
How recent	4 / 5	2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here
Sample size	2 / 4	266 participants
Effect reported	2 / 3	Effect reported as a number, without an interval or test
Studied in people	3 / 3	Studied in people (participant count stated)
Randomized / blinded	0 / 2	No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0)
Times cited	1 / 7	Cited 2 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10)
Citations per year	0 / 5	0.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025
Impact for its field and year	3 / 6	Cited 4.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI)
Cited by studies here	0 / 6	No other study in this library cites it
Still being cited	0 / 4	Cited 2 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex)
Senior author's track record	1 / 4	Last-listed author Rachel M. Skains: h-index 12 (OpenAlex, whole career)
Institution's track record	2 / 3	Massachusetts General Hospital: institution h-index 2,057 (OpenAlex)
Multicenter collaboration	3 / 3	OpenAlex lists 10 institution(s) in 3 countries
Indexed in PubMed	2 / 2	Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40485881)
Free to read	2 / 2	Free to read
Total	52 / 100	—

What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →

Read the original

Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).

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