RecruitingNot Applicable

The Geriatric Emergency Department Pharmacologic Harm Prevention Project

United States1,000 participantsStarted 2026-01-01

Plain-language summary

The goal of this project is to determine whether pharmacogenomic testing (using participants' DNA) can help optimize medication prescribing and reduce side effects in older adults taking five or more medications. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can DNA-based prescribing reduce medication-related side effects, especially falls and fall-related injuries? * Does providing pharmacogenomic results to primary care physicians improve medication safety compared with usual care? Researchers will compare two groups: 1. DNA Care Pathway: Physicians receive patients' DNA results to guide prescribing. 2. Emergency Department Care Pathway: Physicians provide usual care; DNA results are shared only after study completion. Participants will: * Provide a cheek swab sample for DNA analysis (1 minute). * Receive monthly follow-up phone calls for 6 months to track falls, injuries, medication changes, and side effects. * Complete a fall and medication calendar. * Allow researchers to review primary care physician medical records for study outcomes. Approximately 1,000 participants will take part, with follow-up lasting about 6-7 months.

Who can participate

Age range

65 Years – 110 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients over the age of 65 with a ground level fall Exclusion Criteria: * hospice and/or DNR status.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Recurrent falls -self reported and chart review

Timeframe: 6-7 months

Incidence of ADE-related ED visits- self reported and chart review

Timeframe: Time Frame: 6-7 months

All-cause mortality - Florida Death Registry

Timeframe: Time Frame: 6-7 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07216846

SponsorFlorida Atlantic University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-12-31

Contact for this trial

Richard Shih, Professor, MD

561-737-7733 rshih@health.fau.edu

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