A new study  by Dr. Erin Hommel and colleagues published in JAMA Network Open found that an electronic health record (EHR)-integrated clinical decision support tool helped reduce falls and fall-related injuries among older adults receiving primary care.

The study, known as eSTEPS (Electronic Strategies for Tailored Exercise to Prevent Falls), included nearly 12,000 adults age 65 and older who were identified as being at increased risk for falls. Researchers tested a tool embedded within the EHR that helped primary care providers recommend personalized exercise programs, refer patients to physical therapy when appropriate, and share educational resources.

Over the study period, patients treated in clinics using the eSTEPS tool experienced significantly fewer falls and fall-related injuries compared with patients receiving usual care. The intervention was designed to fit seamlessly into routine clinical workflows, making it easier for providers to address fall risk during regular office visits.

The research team included investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Mass General Brigham, and the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). UTMB co-author Erin Hommel, MD, MS, contributed to the multi-institutional effort to develop and evaluate the program.

Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, yet proven prevention strategies, such as exercise, are often underused in primary care settings. The study's findings suggest that EHR-based clinical decision support tools may offer a practical and scalable way to help healthcare providers identify at-risk patients and connect them with effective fall-prevention resources.