62 Falls prevention is everyone’s business

Abstract

Abstract Background Falls among inpatients are the most commonly reported incident within the HSE and HSE funded services (NIMS). For older persons with multiple comorbidities and frailty, even a ‘minor’ injury following a fall can have a significant effect in terms of impaired or delayed rehabilitation, loss of confidence, longer stay in hospital and ultimately, a poorer quality of life. In our Hospital as part of our fall prevention strategy, an education programme for all Staff was launched to raise awareness of falls prevention and management of patients post falls. Methods In 2021 Ward A, a post -acute care rehabilitation ward had a high incidence of falls N = 56. In collaboration with Ward A’s Clinical Nurse Managers, Falls Prevention Committee, Quality Improvement and Practice Development Department a plan of action was developed to reduce the number of patients’ falls. Formal Monthly Education Awareness training for all Staff and informal Ward based training were implemented which included: Overview of falls risk factors, Information on the impact of patient falls, A review of the Hospital’s falls prevention programme and policy, Roll out of a new Multifactorial Falls Risk Assessment form which addresses risk factors and interventions to reduce falls, Reviewing the link between falls and frailty, Promoting safe mobility and activity for patients, Falls Safety Cross—to raise awareness within the team and others regarding the falls/near misses being tracked monthly and Post-fall management of patients. Results In 2021 Ward A recorded N = 56 patient falls. Following the above interventions, the number of patient falls reduced to N = 37, 34% by Quarter 42,022. Staff evaluation highlighted that staff knowledge and awareness of falls prevention and post fall management had increased. Conclusion Falls awareness training had a positive impact on reducing falls in a Rehabilitation ward.