Pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of flooring to reduce injuries from falls in wards for older people.

Background: falls disproportionately affect older people, who are at increased risk of falls and injury. This pilot study investigates shock-absorbing flooring for fall-related injuries in wards for frail older people.

Methods: we conducted a non-blinded cluster randomised trial in eight hospitals in England between April 2010 and August 2011.

Cost--utility analysis of a shock-absorbing floor intervention to prevent injuries from falls in hospital wards for older people.

Background: hospital falls place a substantial burden on healthcare systems. There has been limited research into the use of hospital flooring as an intervention against fall-related injuries.

Objective: to assess the cost-effectiveness of shock-absorbing flooring compared with standard hospital flooring in hospital wards for older people.