From the Drawing Board to the Bedside: Fall Prevention Research and Practice
Falls are one of the most concerning issues for those who fall, loved ones and healthcare providers—particularly when they go undetected. Dr. Bodine will begin this talk by discussing the importance of creating a robust and accurate fall detection system to ensure immediate help and assistance for seniors living in memory care facilities. Together, with Benchmark Technologies, researchers at the Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering are developing wearable, accurate sensors with real-time communication to care providers. Dr. Bodine will describe the status of this work and other ongoing efforts to support seniors living with memory impairments. Next, Dr. Griffith will describe the use of physical therapy in the Emergency Department to combat falls. Dr. Griffith’s talk will include a discussion of current practices for patients with falls or fall risk, including screening, discharge, planning, and follow up/ prevention. The talks will be followed by a Q&A period moderated by Dr. Emmy Betz. Dr. Rebekah Griffith graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology followed by a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, both from the University of Colorado. She has since become a board certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist. Dr. Griffith currently works part-time as a physical therapist specializing in emergency and intensive care at University of Colorado Hospital and as an appointed Clinical Instructor within the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Griffith also serves her professional association (APTA) as the Chief Delegate for Colorado and her community as a clinical preceptor at the DAWN Clinic for the uninsured in Aurora. Dr. Bodine is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Design and Computing (CEDC), University of Colorado Denver, with secondary appointments in the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus (CU-AMC). She directs the Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering (CIDE) with a focus on assistive, medical, and accessible mainstream technologies; interdisciplinary research and education, and translational applications of medical and assistive technology design innovations. She is the Director, Innovation Ecosystem, Colorado Clinical Translational Sciences Institute, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus and is leading the development of an interdisciplinary PhD, Masters and undergraduate program in the Department of Bioengineering focused on inclusive technology, disability and aging. Dr. Bodine is widely published in her field; serves on multiple local, national, international, campus and department leadership committees; and has served as the principal investigator for numerous research and development, preservice preparation and community engagement grants.
Falls are one of the most concerning issues for those who fall, loved ones and healthcare providers—particularly when they go undetected. Dr. Bodine will begin this talk by discussing the importance of creating a robust and accurate fall detection system to ensure immediate help and assistance for seniors living in memory care facilities. Together, with Benchmark Technologies, researchers at the Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering are developing wearable, accurate sensors with real-time communication to care providers. Dr. Bodine will describe the status of this work and other ongoing efforts to support seniors living with memory impairments. Next, Dr. Griffith will describe the use of physical therapy in the Emergency Department to combat falls. Dr. Griffith’s talk will include a discussion of current practices for patients with falls or fall risk, including screening, discharge, planning, and follow up/ prevention. The talks will be followed by a Q&A period moderated by Dr. Emmy Betz. Dr. Rebekah Griffith graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology followed by a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, both from the University of Colorado. She has since become a board certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist. Dr. Griffith currently works part-time as a physical therapist specializing in emergency and intensive care at University of Colorado Hospital and as an appointed Clinical Instructor within the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Griffith also serves her professional association (APTA) as the Chief Delegate for Colorado and her community as a clinical preceptor at the DAWN Clinic for the uninsured in Aurora. Dr. Bodine is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Design and Computing (CEDC), University of Colorado Denver, with secondary appointments in the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus (CU-AMC). She directs the Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering (CIDE) with a focus on assistive, medical, and accessible mainstream technologies; interdisciplinary research and education, and translational applications of medical and assistive technology design innovations. She is the Director, Innovation Ecosystem, Colorado Clinical Translational Sciences Institute, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus and is leading the development of an interdisciplinary PhD, Masters and undergraduate program in the Department of Bioengineering focused on inclusive technology, disability and aging. Dr. Bodine is widely published in her field; serves on multiple local, national, international, campus and department leadership committees; and has served as the principal investigator for numerous research and development, preservice preparation and community engagement grants.