Phase II Bayesian Estimation Network Elderly Fall Inference Tool (BENEFIT) Study Completed

The BENEFIT system is a computer-based fall risk assessment instrument for use by health and elder care providers. The BENEFIT instrument ensures that individuals at increased risk for falling are identified and provided with appropriate interventions to reduce fall occurrences. Bayesian belief networks are the key technology that enables faster and more accurate fall assessments; the Bayesian methodology allows the merging of disparate information into a unified and objective stochastic assessment of fall risk. The BENEFIT instrument represents a universal algorithm for initializing, adapting, and optimizing fall risk assessments based on the patient risk factor data that are available in a given setting.

The instrument was recently deployed at two rehabilitation hospitals; results are currently being analyzed.