Cochrane Systematic Review

Title: Interventions for preventing falls in older people in hospitals
Good to know: Falls in hospitals are common among older people and can result in injuries, loss of independence, and death. Tailored education for patients, families, or staff probably reduces both the rate of falls and the risk of falling. Changes to models of care in acute hospitals probably reduce the rate of falls, although their effect on the risk of falling is uncertain. Multifactorial interventions based on an individual assessment of fall risk probably reduce the rate of falls and the risk of falling, although the results also include the possibility of little or no effect. The effect of exercise on the rate of falls is uncertain, and exercise may have little or no effect on the risk of falling.
Limitations: Insufficient information on potential harms and health economic outcomes.
Evidence: Cochrane review (published in May 2026); inclusion of 55 studies with 104,474 participants; comparing any intervention designed to reduce falls in older people with usual care.