Falls Prevention

INTRODUCTION
Falls continue to be one of the most devastating and life-altering occurrences facing older population. Falls are continuous threat to independent living and greatly impact the quality of life for patients and their families. The prevalence of falls is very high. The consequences of falls range from physical injury to psychological distress such as depression, anxiety, fear of falling, and decline in overall balance confidence. These consequences not only lead to activity restriction and avoidance, but contribute to a rise in health care costs. It is time for our profession to start talking about falls.
THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO INITIATE
For the change project, my mentor and I have chosen to discuss one of the topics listed in the Virtual Teaching Hospital. We are going to address the increase in falls on the medical surgical unit. Falls and injuries due to falls is a serious and dangerous problem which can lead to serious injuries, adverse patient outcomes and high costs for hospitals. Falls and resulting injuries due
to falls is a serious and dangerous problem which can lead to serious injuries, adverse patient outcomes, and high costs for hospitals. “Falls and fall injuries in hospitals are the most frequently reported adverse event among adults in the inpatient setting. Advancing measurement and improvement around falls prevention in the hospital is important as falls are a nurse sensitive measure and nurses play a key role in this component of patient care” (Quigley & White, 2013). Improving the quality of care and patient safety is a nursing priority and their primary responsibility. Falls can be devastating. About one out of ten falls among older adults result in a serious injury, such as a hip fracture or head injury. “Soft tissue injuries or minor fractures can cause significant functional impairment, pain, and distress. Even “minor” falls can trigger a fear of falling in older persons, leading them to limit their activity and lose their strength and independence” (Hospital Quality Institute, 2017).
THE RATIONALE FOR CHANGE
Falls represent a major public health problem, not only in the US, but around the world. Given the acuity and compromised state of people admitted to the hospital, their falls result in other severe complications such as fractures, internal bleedings, and severe injuries. Additionally, patient falls can bring down the morale of the hospital staff. Healthcare providers and caregivers get disheartened and face complex, demanding goals, while striving to maintain patient safety and dignity. Due to the fact that there is a staffing shortage and a lack of multidisciplinary care teams, it gets more difficult to ensuring quality care and patient safety; thus compromising a patient’s health.
Falls can also lead to an increase in mortality.
They are among the leading cause of injury related deaths in older adults. Falls also cause a substantial increase in cost due to an increased length of stay. Falls are detrimental to the health and well-being of the patients and are preventable. Falls prevention is imperative in providing the highest quality of care to our patients. As a result, decreasing the incidence of falls in patients in the hospital setting is a vital change that needs to be implemented. As health care providers, it is our foremost responsibility to advocate for our patients and ensure that they are receiving the best care possible. Patient safety is a priority when caring for patients. Our focus needs to be our preventing falls. Improving the quality of care and patient safety is a nursing priority and their primary responsibility. Although fall prevention is a complex process, focused efforts will pay
off.
The challenge of fall prevention is increasing as the inpatient population ages. Both the overall risk of falling and the likelihood of being injured from a fall increase as people age. Patient falls with injury have been included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' list of hospital-acquired conditions for which providers will not be reimbursed.
THE DESIRED OUTCOMES
In order for this change to be successful, fall prevention education and information will be provided on an ongoing basis for all healthcare providers. A few of the changes that will take place are as follows: A sign with a falling star will be posted on the doors of patients who are at high risk for falls. Patient at high risk for falls will be rounded on more frequently. Bed alarms for post-operative patients and patients at high risk for falls will be mandatory. Non-slip socks will be provided to every patient. The ultimate goal of implementing a fall prevention program is to reduce the risk and rate of falls for those at risk of falling. The outcomes need to be patient-centered. The desired outcome of implementing the change project would be to decrease patient falls and injuries resulting in an increase in patient outcomes. Subsequently, the change project will also lead to an increase in patient safety while decreasing healthcare costs. The change project will lead to compliance with every aspect of nursing. In addition to these goals, the change plan will help better identify high risk patients and address patient’s needs. Preventing falls requires an individualized, patient-centered approach that meets the needs of patients. By implementing the change project, patient safety will improve significantly and lead to better patient care. It is imperative that the nursing profession start a movement toward fall prevention in order to improve patient outcomes. Falls prevention is imperative in providing the highest quality of care to our patients. As a result, decreasing the incidence of falls in patients in the hospital setting is a vital change that needs to be implemented. Patient safety is a priority when caring for patients. The focus needs to