In the project planning stage, inpatient hospital information management systems were used to identify the target group based on analysis of gaps in hospitals cost and patient reimbursement.  A computer generated, automated referral process used inpatient nursing assessment and discharge planning data to electronically alert outpatient case management staff.  During program implementation, case managers used electronic assessment profiles with scanning capabilities to input pre and post fall risk data; and outpatient electronic medical record documentation was used to report and track case management functions.  Lastly, hospital admissions, costs of care, and financial impacts were measured using hospital data base management tools.

The Fall Prevention/Intervention data management specialist tracked patient specific data at six months prior to referral and again at two, four and six month following intervention or refusal of intervention.  The project demonstrated that hospital system data systems could be used for identification of patient risk for falls, documentation and tracking of fall prevention and intervention strategies, and reporting of readmission, costs and reimbursement for patients in the Fall Prevention/Intervention program.  This project demonstrated that cost effectiveness data of an intervention program/project could accurately be tracked and reported.