RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The PREVENT Trial: a Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of a Multifaceted Fracture Prevention Model for Long-term Care

The PREVENT Trial is investigating a new programme to help care homes reduce hip fractures in their residents. Hip fractures are a major concern for older adults in long-term care, often leading to serious health issues. The PREVENT programme aims to identify residents most at risk of fractures due to weak bones (osteoporosis) and falls, using a special tool. It also trains care home staff, including doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, on the best ways to help residents and their families make treatment decisions. The study will compare care homes using this new programme with those providing their usual care, to see if PREVENT effectively reduces the number of hip fractures.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

McMaster University

Enrolment target

3,060

Start

19 Jun 2024

Estimated completion

31 Mar 2027

Fracture Fractures, Hip Osteoporosis

What is this study about?

Hip fractures are a serious problem for many older adults, especially those living in care homes. They can make it harder to walk, impact independence, and sometimes even lead to death. This study, called The PREVENT Trial, is looking into a new programme designed to tackle this very issue.

The PREVENT programme helps care homes figure out which residents are most likely to experience a fracture. It does this by using a special tool that looks at a resident's health records to identify risks from weak bones (osteoporosis) and falls. Once these residents are identified, the programme then trains all the care home staff – from doctors and pharmacists to nurses – on the most up-to-date ways to support residents and their families in choosing the best treatments.

Beyond training, the PREVENT programme also provides staff with practical tools. These include templates for ordering medicines, strategies to help prevent falls, and ways to create individual care plans. The main goal of this study is to see if care homes using the PREVENT programme have fewer hip fractures compared to care homes that continue with their usual practices. The study aims to make care homes safer and improve the well-being of residents.

Key takeaways

The study aims to reduce hip fractures in older people in care homes.
It tests a new programme called PREVENT for fracture prevention.
PREVENT helps identify high-risk residents and trains care staff.
The study compares care homes using PREVENT to those with usual care.
It hopes to make care homes safer and improve resident well-being.

Who may be eligible?

This study is for care homes in Ontario, Canada, both charitable and private. To take part, a care home needs to have at least 50 residents.

For residents within these care homes, researchers will look at existing health information to decide who is included in the study. Residents will generally be included unless they have very severe illnesses, are in a coma, or are receiving hospice or short-term relief (respite) care with a very short expected stay (less than 90 days).

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do you live in a long-term care home in Ontario, Canada?
Does your care home have at least 50 beds?
Are you NOT receiving hospice or short-term respite care?
Are you NOT in a coma or expected to stay for less than 90 days?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is evaluating the PREVENT programme within care homes themselves rather than individual residents. If a care home is chosen to be part of the study, it will either introduce the PREVENT programme or continue with its usual care. Residents within participating care homes will have their health information reviewed as part of the study. There are no extra visits, specific assessments, or new medicines given directly to residents just for this study. The study looks at long-term results by comparing fracture rates between homes over time.

Potential risks and benefits

As this study is about evaluating a care home programme, there are no direct medical risks to individual residents. Residents will continue to receive their usual care. If the PREVENT programme is successful, a potential benefit is a reduction in hip fractures for residents in participating care homes. However, it's also possible there will be no change. Care homes are free to decide whether to participate, and they can withdraw at any time.

Locations (1)

McMaster University - St. Peter's Hospital
Verified postcode
Hamilton, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a hip fracture?

A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the thigh bone, near the hip joint. It's a serious injury, especially for older people.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak and brittle, making them more likely to break, even from a minor fall.

What is the PREVENT programme?

It's a new system for care homes to help identify residents at high risk of fractures and to ensure staff are trained in the best ways to prevent them.

Will I receive new medicines if my care home is in the study?

Not directly because of the study. Any treatment decisions, including medicines, will be made by your doctors and care team based on your individual needs, as part of your usual care.

Do I have to do anything differently if my care home is in the study?

No, as an individual resident, you don't need to do anything extra. This study is about how care homes manage their fracture prevention programmes.

How to find out more

Lauren Kane, MSc, BSc

kanela@hhsc.ca 905-521-2100 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.