Implementation of the Humpty Dumpty Falls Scale: A Quality-Improvement Project

Abstract

Patient safety is a priority in health care. The intent of National Patient Safety Goal No. 9, which started in 2008, is to reduce the risk of patient harm resulting from falls. The Joint Commission and the Institute of Medicine have placed a great emphasis on patient safety and decreasing adverse events during hospitalization. The hospital environment places patients at increased risk for falls related to physiological factors, medications, and the use of equipment. 1 Child Health Corporation of America Nursing Falls Study Task Force Pediatric falls: state of the science. Pediatr Nurs. 2009; 35: 227-231 PubMed Google Scholar Many fall risk tools are available in the literature; unfortunately, these tools are intended for the adult patient rather than the pediatric patient. The Joint Commission recommends that hospitals have a method to identify children at risk for harm from falls, as well as a screening process to determine which children are at risk. Efforts should be made to assess and protect this population. 2 The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals Web site. http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/npsgs.aspx Google Scholar Melissa D. Rouse is Clinical Nurse Specialist, Quality and Patient Safety, Palomar Health, Escondido, CA. Jackie Close is Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Palomar Health, Escondido, CA. Cathy Prante is Director Emergency Services and Forensics, Palomar Health, Escondido, CA. Stephanie Boyd is Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, CA.