This conference will provide participants with cutting edge research, best practices, and lessons learned in fall prevention and fall protection (preventing fall-related injuries). The conference includes diverse learning opportunities, including plenary sessions, concurrent sessions, workshops, “hands on” practice sessions, poster sessions, and an exhibit hall with new and emerging technologies. Innovations will be presented, addressing such topics as policy, practice tips, technology solutions, creative education and program initiatives, successful organizational strategies, and building a business case for fall programs. This integrated curriculum assembles faculty who have expertise in fall prevention and fall protection across the care continuum (acute care, long term care, and community).

This is a solicitation for posters to be presented at the 2008 Transforming Fall Prevention Practices.

Abstracts should be 250 words or less in length and provide a brief, clear summary of the research/project/program. Content should include timely and relevant topics related to all aspects of patient safety (falls, wandering, bed safety).

Application information must be completed and received by February 15, 2008.

No specific application form is required yet applications for abstract submissions must include the following information:

• Author(s)
• Facility
• Contact information
• Title
• Abstract

Posters will be available for viewing April 22-24, 2008.

Submissions received electronically are preferred but applications received by mail will be accepted.

Please send completed abstracts to:
Stephanie Hart-Hughes, PT, NCS
Director Gait and Balance Laboratory
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
11605 North Nebraska Ave.
Tampa, Florida 33612
(813) 558-3932
Stephanie.Hart-Hughes@med.va.gov

This conference is designed to meet the needs of direct health care providers (physicians, advanced practice nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and kinesiotherapists), managers, administrators, risk managers, educators, and researchers of any discipline who are interested in advancing mobility-related safety for patients. In addition, this conference targets those responsible for developing and implementing unit-based or facility-wide programs to reduce falls and fall-related injuries.

1. Identify three best practices for fall prevention or fall protection.
2. Evaluate technological solutions for fall prevention or fall protection.
3. Network successfully with national, regional and local experts across the care continuum (acute care, long term care, and community-based settings).
4. Examine special challenges associated with fall prevention and protection in vulnerable populations such as persons with dementia, lower limb amputation, or peripheral neuropathy, and persons who use a wheelchair for mobility.
5. Gain new insights in education, practice, administration and technology initiatives that can be transferred into current practice settings to improve patient safety.
6. Formulate strategies for reducing fall risk at a unit or facility level.
7. Assess the cost/benefit of various interventions to reduce the risk of fall-related injuries.

Nurses
The University of South Florida College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity is for 24.5 contact hours.

Pharmacists
The University of South Florida College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This program has been approved for 24.5 contact hours. Universal program number is as follows: #230-999-06-023-LO4

To receive continuing education credit, a pharmacist must attend the accredited sessions and must return the program evaluation instrument. In order to receive full credit, registrants must register no later than 10 minutes after the start of the meeting and must attend the entire meeting.

Physicians
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of South Florida College of Medicine and James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital. The University of South Florida College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of South Florida College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 24.5 category 1credits towards the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.

Physical Therapists
The University of South Florida College of Medicine is an approved provider of Continuing Education for Physical Therapists pursuant to the Board of Physical Therapy chapter 64b17-9. The University of South Florida College of Medicine designates this educational activity for up to 24.5 contact hours.

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Fall Prevention in Persons with Dementia: Challenges and Solutions
Ladislav Volicer, MD, PhD, FAAN, FGSA
Joyce Simard, MSW

Risk Factors and Interventions for Wheelchair Falls
Audrey Nelson, PhD, RN, FAAN
Deborah Gavin-Dreschnack, PhD

Interdisciplinary Case Studies for Management of Falls in Community-Based Settings
Tatjana Bulat, MD
Stephanie Hart-Hughes, PT, NCS

Main Conference

6:30 am - 7:30 am

7:00 am - 8:00 am

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

8:30 AM - 9:20 AM

9:20 AM - 10:00 AM

10:00 AM - 10:25 AM

10:25 AM - 11:05 AM

11:05 AM - 11:45 AM

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Patricia Quigley, PhD, ARNP, CRRN, FAAN
Deputy Director
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Shawn Applegarth, MSME
Director of the Engineering Laboratory
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Professor Stephen Lord, PhD, DSc
Senior Principal Research Fellow
Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute
Australia

Marcia L. Bailey, RN, MSN
Director, Pediatric and Rehabilitation Nursing
Metro Health Medical Center
Cleveland, OH

Mary W. Matz, MSPH
VA Patient Care Ergonomics Consultant
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Andrea S. Baptiste, MA, CIE
Ergonomist/Biomechanist
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Audrey Nelson, PhD, RN, FAAN
Director, Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Elizabeth Bass, PhD
Health Economist
Department of Aging Studies
University of South Florida
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Gail Powell-Cope, PhD, ARNP, FAAN
Associate Chief of Nursing Service/Research
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Barbara Boushon, RN, BSN
Director, Institute for Healthcare Improvement
McFarland, WI

Patricia Quigley, PhD, ARNP, CRRN, FAAN
Deputy Director
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Tatjana Bulat, MD, CMD
Medical Director
Patient Mobility Clinical Services
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Suzanne Rita, RN, MSN
Team Coordinator, Quality Management
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
Virginia Beach, VA

Susan Gallagher Camden, PhD, RN, MA, MSN
Clinical Advisor
Celebration Institute Inc.
Conroe, TX

Debra J. Rose, PhD
Professor and Co-Director      
Center for Successful Aging
Fall Prevention Center of Excellence
California State University
Fullerton, CA

Robert Campbell, PhD, JD, MPH
Director, Florida Health Policy and Law Institute
Professor, Nova Southeastern University, Law School
Researcher, Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Laurence Z. Rubenstein, MD, MPH
Geriatric Research Education & Clinical Center  
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Professor of Medicine
UCLA Medical School
Sepulveda, CA

Steven C. Castle, MD
Professor of Medicine
UCLA School of Medicine
Associate Director of Clinical Services
Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, CA

Michelle K. Rutledge, PharmD
HSR&D Associate Investigator
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

James W. Collins, PhD, MSME
Associate Director for Science
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Division of Safety Research
Morgantown, WV

Innette Sarduy, MPH, RN, CNAA
Associate Chief Nurse/Acute Care
James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
Tampa, FL

Robert Gailey, PhD, PT
Associate Professor
University of Miami, School of Medicine
Department of Physical Therapy
Health Scientist Researcher
Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems
Miami, FL

Brian W. Schulz, PhD
Biomechanical Engineer/Researcher
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Deborah Gavin-Dreschnack, PhD
Health Science Specialist
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Ronald I. Shorr, MD, MS
Director, GRECC, NF/SGVHS
Ruth S. Jewett Professor and Chief
Division of Geriatric Medicine
Department of Aging & Geriatric Research
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Elaine Graf, PhD, RN
Research and Funding Coordinator
Clinical and Organizational Development
“Building Excellence Together”
Children’s Memorial Medical Center
Chicago, IL

Joyce Simard, MSW
Private Consultant
Land O’Lakes, FL

Stephanie Hart-Hughes, PT, NCS
Physical Therapist
Director, Gait and Balance Laboratory
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

Erik Stalhandske, MPP, MHSA
Program Manager
VHA National Center for Patient Safety
Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Hendrich, RN, MS, FAAN
Vice President, Clinical Excellence Operations
Ascension Health
St. Louis, MO

Ladislav Volicer, MD, PhD, FAAN, FGSA
Courtesy Full Professor
School of Aging Studies
University of South Florida
Land O’Lakes, FL

Andrea Kaye Hixon, PhD, RN, CNAA
A.K. Consulting
Sebring, FL

Mary E. Watson, MSN, RN, APRN, BC
Patient Safety Practitioner
Central Arkansas Healthcare System
Little Rock, AR

Stephanie S. Jackson, MSN, APRN, CS
Manager, Education Department
Diabetes and Enterostomal Therapy Services
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Norfolk, VA

Susan White, PhD, RN, CPHQ, FNAHQ
Associate Chief of Nurse for Quality
Magnet Programs
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

John Lloyd, PhD, CPE
Director, Research Laboratories
Patient Safety Center of Inquiry
James A. Haley VAMC
Tampa, FL

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA COLLEGE OF NURSING RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THE PROGRAM DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, IN WHICH EVENT THE FULL REGISTRATION FEE WILL BE RETURNED. THE PROVIDERS WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OTHER COSTS INCLUDING TRAVEL AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS.

ALL REFUNDS ARE SUBJECT TO A $150 PROCESSING FEE. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS AFTER APRIL 2, 2008. FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT REGISTRATION, PLEASE CALL (813) 974-4296.

Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort
400 Mandalay Avenue
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
www.hiltonclearwaterbeachresort.com

Reservations
The special group rate of $199.00 plus the current tax rate of 12% is offered for our meeting dates. This group rate may be available three days before to three days after the official meeting dates, subject to space and rate availability.

The room block cut-off date is March 21, 2008.Reservations received after this date will be based on availability at the hotel’s prevailing rates. Call the reservations department at 1-800-753-3954 and identify yourself as a member of the University of South Florida 9th Annual Transforming Fall Prevention Practices Conference. You can also make your reservations online by following these instructions:

1. Log onto www.hiltonclearwaterbeachresort.com
2. Go to the reservations page
3. Select your reservation details
4. Continue down towards the bottom of the page to the ‘special accounts’ section
5. Enter the group/convention code EBFGS to receive the group rate.

Transportation
Transportation from the Tampa International Airport to the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort is available through Super Shuttle Transportation, 800-258-6826, at a cost of $45 per person round trip. Additional information is available at www.supershuttle.com.

Parking
One vehicle parking per hotel guest room is provided. Daily parking for conference attendees is available at a cost of $8.00 per day for valet and $3.00 per day for self-parking. Event parking is limited and not guaranteed.

Please notify the CPD Office, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC Box 60, Tampa, Florida, 33612 or call (813) 974-4296 a minimum of ten working days in advance of the event if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed.

Events, activities and facilities of the University of South Florida are available without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, or Vietnam veteran status as provided by law and in accordance with the University's respect for personal dignity.