53 The Development and Education of Fall Prevention Program Through the Multidisciplinary Approach

Abstract

Abstract Introduction To reduce the rate of falls in the rehabilitation ward, fall prevention program was developed and educated for physical and occupational therapists, which increased the attitude towards falls and knowledge towards fall prevention activities. Method Participants of this study include 17 therapists currently employed at a university-affiliated hospital located in Gyeongg-do, South Korea. Systematic protocol for fall prevention with the emphasis in the roles of rehabilitation teams was developed. This standardized protocol consists of educating therapists with adequate assistive device use, safe ambulation techniques, and client-centered transfer techniques. The therapists then record the paitent's status related to fall prevention and or risks, which is then shared with other medical professionals including registered nurses and medical doctors. Paper-based questionnaires regarding 9 questions on attitude towards falls and 12 questions on knowledge towards fall prevention activities were done by the participants after the education of systematic protocol. The rate of falls was then compared with the change of attitudes in participants. Rate of falls was calculated by dividing the number of fall by the patient bed days and multiplying by 1000. Result After the education of fall prevention program, the mean score of attitude towards falls significantly increased (t=-3.99, p=0.001). The mean score of knowledge towards fall prevention activities significantly increased (t=-4.79, p<0.001). The rate of falls decreased from 4.2 to 1.4. The effectiveness of systematic protocol regarding therapists' change in attitude and the resulting change in rate of falls was mainly seen in patients' ward. The decline in rate of falls was observed when patients transferred from bed to wheelchair. Conclusion In order to effectively convey the fall prevention education program, the multidisciplinary approach showed promising results in this study. Implications for future research include translation of this program to the community, such as long term care facility.