Screen & Assess

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC 2024). Facts about falls. https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
What it provides: Current U.S. fall burden and key stats

How it helps: Frames the “why” initiative and targets.

How/when to use: quote 1–2 stats in staff huddles.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (CDC 2019). Algorithm for fall risk screening, assessment, and intervention (STEADI) [PDF]. https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/media/pdfs/STEADI-Algorithm-508.pdf
What it provides: One-page Screen → Assess → Intervene
How it helps: Matches the EHR fall bundle and standardizes the workflow.
How/when to use: Day 1–3 starts; week-2 & week-6 rechecks.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC 2017). Timed Up & Go (TUG) assessment [PDF]. https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/media/pdfs/steadi-assessment-tug-508.pdf
What it provides: Exact TUG setup, timing, and interpretation (≥12 s threshold).
How it helps: Gives a quick, objective mobility check to trigger interventions.
How/when to use: Nurse/MAs at consult/CT sim/first day RT and during rechecks.

 

Medications & Medical Management

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC 2017). Medications linked to falls [PDF]. https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/media/pdfs/STEADI-FactSheet-MedsLinkedtoFalls-508.pdf
What it provides: FRID classes and deprescribing prompts.
How it helps: Focuses nurse–pharmacist conversations on high-risk meds.
How/when to use: Any positive screen, dizziness/orthostasis, or med changes.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC 2017). SAFE medication review framework [PDF]. https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/media/pdfs/STEADI-FactSheet-SAFEMedReview-508.pdf
What it provides: S–A–F–E steps (Screen, Assess, Formulate, Educate).
How it helps: Creates a repeatable med-review script across shifts.
How/when to use: During week-2 and week-6 rechecks; after near-falls; at discharge teaching.

American Geriatrics Society. (2023). AGS Beers Criteria® for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(7), 2052–2081. https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jgs.18372
What it provides: Authoritative PIM/FRID guidance and cautions.
How it helps: Validates switching, stopping, or dose-reducing risky meds.
How/when to use: Verify alternatives before provider outreach; attach to SBARs.

 

Oncology Workflow & Incident Learning

Martinez, A., Baxley, J., Bergey, E., Jennings, R., & Vonnes, C. (2023). Interprofessional approach to fall risk screening in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 27(5), 565–570. https://www.ons.org/publications-research/cjon/27/5/interprofessional-approach-fall-risk-screening-patients-undergoing
What it provides: RT-specific feasibility and team roles for TUG screening.
How it helps: Justifies embedding TUG + handoffs in RT workflows.
How/when to use: share in staff education.

Hammontree, S., Potts, M., Neiberger, A., Olds, D., English, D., & Myers, J. S. (2023). Outpatient oncology fall risk: A quality improvement study. Kansas Journal of Medicine, 16(2), 200–206. https://doi.org/10.17161/kjm.vol16.20271 (Open access: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10544871/)
What it provides: Ambulatory fall-bundle methods and outcome improvements.
How it helps: Offers aim statements and data displays you can emulate.
How/when to use: The Run chart is modeled after their layout.

American Society for Radiation Oncology. (n.d.). RO-ILS: Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System®. https://www.astro.org/practice-support/quality-and-safety/ro-ils
What it provides: National PSO-backed reporting with tips and trend learning.
How it helps: Turns near-falls/events into system fixes; supports safety culture.
How/when to use: “Report & Learn” section; review monthly in huddles.

Team Communication & Measurement

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2023). TeamSTEPPS® pocket guide (v3.0) [PDF]. https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/teamstepps-program/teamstepps-pocket-guide.pdf
What it provides: Brief–Huddle–Debrief, CUS, check-backs, closed-loop tools.
How it helps: Improves reliability and handoffs at peak hours.
How/when to use: Post at nurse station; use in daily briefs/huddles.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2017). SBAR: Situation–Background–Assessment–Recommendation [PDF]. https://www.ihi.org/sites/default/files/SafetyToolkit_SBAR.pdf
What it provides: One-page SBAR with examples.
How it helps: Standardizes 60-second handoffs nurse→RTT/front desk/transport.
How/when to use: Include in skills lab; attach to policy as a quick card.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2017). QI Essentials Toolkit: Run chart [PDF]. https://www.ihi.org/sites/default/files/QIToolkit_RunChart.pdf
What it provides: Template + rules (shift/trend) for detecting real change.
How it helps: Keeps focus on process reliability and fall outcomes.
How/when to use: Update weekly; review in Monday huddles (1 minute).

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (2025). Algorithm for fall risk screening, assessment, and intervention (STEADI) [PDF]. https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/media/pdfs/STEADI-Algorithm-508.pdf
This one-page algorithm operationalizes “Screen → Assess → Intervene” and aligns with common EHR fall-bundle workflows. It helps nurses standardize day-1–3 screening, week-2 and week-6 rechecks, and follow-up actions for positive findings. Use it at intake (consult/CT sim/first RT) and whenever a near-fall or medication change occurs; linked prominently on Screen & Assess page.

Martinez, A., Baxley, J., Bergey, E., Jennings, R., & Vonnes, C. (2023). Interprofessional approach to fall risk screening in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 27(5), 565–570. https://www.ons.org/publications-research/cjon/27/5/interprofessional-approach-fall-risk-screening-patients-undergoing

This article shows the feasibility of nurse-led TUG screening integrated into RT workflows with clear team roles. It supports the clinic’s use of TUG + orthostatics, escorts, and SBAR handoffs to reduce risk without slowing throughput. Cited in the Oncology Workflow & Environment page and in staff education to justify the practice change.

American Geriatrics Society. (2023). AGS Beers Criteria® for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(7), 2052 2081.  https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jgs.18372
What it provides: The authoritative, evidence-based list of medications and classes associated with adverse events in older adults, including many fall-risk–increasing drugs (FRIDs).
How it helps: Guides nurse–pharmacist–prescriber conversations to stop/switch/reduce higher-risk agents and to plan safer alternatives, directly supporting your medications & medical management workflow.
When to use: During med reconciliation at intake, at week-2 and week-6 rechecks, and after any fall/near-fall or new dizziness/orthostasis. Cite in Medications & Medical Management page.