WHY JHFRAT MATTERS

Falls remain a significant public health concern, placing a substantial burden on both patients and healthcare systems. Each year, approximately $50 billion is spent on medical costs associated with non-fatal fall injuries, with an additional $754 million attributed to fatal falls. Among adults aged 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death, and the rate continues to rise. More than 800,000 patients are hospitalized annually due to fall-related injuries.

In response to this growing concern, fall risk assessment has become a required component of the Welcome to Medicare examination, and national quality initiatives such as the CMS Physician Quality Reporting Initiative incentivize providers to assess fall risk and implement prevention strategies. JHFRAT positions organizations to meet these expectations while improving patient safety outcomes.

BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING JHFRAT

Organizations that implement JHFRAT can expect meaningful improvements in both patient safety and care standardization. The tool supports consistent and reliable fall risk assessments across clinical settings, reducing variability in practice. By proactively identifying at-risk patients, healthcare teams can implement targeted interventions that reduce both fall rates and the severity of fall-related injuries. Ultimately, this leads to safer care environments and better patient outcomes.

PROVEN IMPACT

The effectiveness of JHFRAT is demonstrated through measurable outcomes. At Johns Hopkins Hospital, implementation of the tool resulted in a 21% reduction in overall fall rates and a 51% reduction in fall-related injuries. These results highlight the value of combining structured risk assessment with evidence-based prevention strategies.

WHAT THE TOOLKIT INCLUDES

The JHFRAT Toolkit provides organizations with a comprehensive set of resources to support successful implementation. It includes the Johns Hopkins Fall Risk Assessment Tool itself, along with licensing options that allow integration into electronic medical records or use in paper-based systems. The toolkit also features detailed Fall Prevention Guidelines organized by risk category, enabling clinicians to align interventions with patient-specific needs.

In addition, organizations receive access to three publications authored by Johns Hopkins experts that demonstrate the tool’s effectiveness, as well as unlimited access to an online training module. These resources ensure that staff are well-prepared to use the tool consistently and effectively across care settings.