93 Reduce falls rates in care homes by replacing falls risk screening with a Multifactorial Falls Risk Assessment Tool

Abstract

Abstract Background Following a review (Nov 2022) of 203 residents across four locations, it was noted that falls risk screening tools were used to identify falls risk status. This resulted in a proportion of residents identified as low (5%) and medium risk (28%). New falls prevention guidelines incorporating care homes, recommend against falls risk screening (Montero-Odassa et al, 2022). The guidelines recommend that all residents in care homes should be considered at high risk of falls and use of a Multifactorial Falls Risk Assessment Tool (MFRAT) is preferable in falls prevention. Our aim is a reduction in falls rate by discontinuing the use of falls risk screening tools and implementing a MFRAT. Embed this change within a new standardised falls policy and deliver staff education sessions to support this change. Methods Stakeholder engagement and development of a falls committee with seven representatives across each location including nursing, management, quality and patient safety advisor and falls coordinator was undertaken. Communication strategy of weekly online meetings developed a standardised falls policy, tailored MFRAT and audit tool to monitor compliance. Reported falls were cross referenced with our national incident management system. Falls rate calculation across each location was used to measure the impact of change. Results Results demonstrated a 29% reduction in falls rate for the first quarter of 2023, compared to 2022. 100% compliance with policy implementation across all locations, with 68% of staff trained through education sessions face to face and online. Conclusion Implementing a MFRAT, aligned with new world guidelines, supported by staff education, and associated falls prevention interventions provides a reduction in fall rates in care home residents. The process of falls rate calculation across locations provides ease of evaluation.