189 The Fall Champion Toolbox

Abstract

Abstract Background Older adults in residential care setting are three times more likely to fall than those in the community and these falls are associated with a greater risk of injury. More than 400 separate risk factors for falls have been identified with the risk of falling increasing as risk factors accumulate. Multifactorial interventions by an interdisciplinary team to reduce risks have been suggested as the most effective strategy to reduce falls. The aim of this project was to increase fall prevention awareness among staff, reduce fall risk factors and reduce overall fall numbers. Methods Fall champions on each unit were identified and equipped with the necessary information in a ‘toolbox’ that was used for short education sessions or ‘toolbox talks’. The toolbox contains 4 fact sheets; each fact sheet designed for a different member of the care team, focusing on their role in reducing fall risks. Fact Sheet 1: Household and Maintenance staff, Fact Sheet 2: Health Care assistants, Fact Sheet 3: Nursing Staff, Fact Sheet 4: Resident information leaflets. A ‘toolbox talk’ takes 10 minutes. The fall champion focuses information at a particular team member by using the fact sheet with specific information targeted to that team member’s role. Results An evaluation of the initiative after 3 months demonstrated that the fall champions found the toolbox easy to use (100%). The champions reported that they felt confident that the toolbox had given them the skills to provide each team member with information relevant to their roles (100%).Staff had attended a toolbox talk within 4 weeks of the introduction of the project and reported increased awareness of risks for falls (100%). Fall numbers for 3 months: Pre introduction =19 Post introduction =10 Reduction of 47%. Conclusion The initiative increased staff awareness of fall risks and may have impacted falls rate.