Implementing a Fall Prevention Protocol to Reduce Fall Rates Among Inpatients With Cancer.

Abstract

Globally in healthcare delivery, inpatient falls and fall-related injuries contribute to unsafe patient care environments. On two inpatient oncology units, the frequency of patient falls had increased, despite the use of a fall screening tool. This project aimed to determine whether implementing the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) 3B Scheduled Rounding Protocol would reduce the average daily fall rate and number of fall-related injuries on two adult inpatient oncology units. This quantitative, quasi-experimental quality improvement project evaluated the implementation of the AHRQ protocol to reduce the average fall rate and number of fall-related injuries for adult patients with cancer. The average daily fall rate decreased following implementation of the AHRQ protocol, indicating clinical significance. This project's results suggest that implementing a standard fall prevention protocol can reduce the rate of patient falls.