Implementation of a Patient Fall Prevention Program
Introduction
The rise of patient falls in hospitals, healthcare centers, nursing homes and daycare facilities is on a rise. In more than 90% of patient fall cases, the falls could have been prevented. Patients fall increases the incidence of injuries to the patients. Healthcare facilities would face the burden of cost in the case of inpatient falls. Falls are common in adults above the age of 65 years. According to the center for disease control and prevention (CDC), one in three adults in the U.S above the age of 65 years falls each year. Studies estimate that the around 2% to 10% of inpatients fall every year during their hospital stay. Surveys conducted in premier hospitals in the U.S resulted in 10% of falls in older adults. In a snapshot, around 15% of falls occur in acute care settings while 20% of falls occur in nursing homes. On the other hand, 60% of falls occur in adults above the age of 65 years. These data were based on a survey conducted by the department of Veterans affairs (V.A) in the United States. Most patient falls can be prevented. (U.S V.A. 2004)
The number of patient falls can be prevented to a significant extent. The purpose of implementing a patient fall preventing program is to reduce the rate of falls and maximize the safety of patients. Patient fall prevention programs are implemented in many healthcare settings. Nursing professionals implement the program to reduce the rate preventable falls among patients. The purpose of implementing the program would also enable patients to be independent and avoid injuries that occur due to falls. This paper would focus on the different aspects of patient fall prevention program Patient fall prevention program reduces the risk of injuries associated with patient falls. The main purpose of the program is to increase the quality of life of patients, improvise the current setting, reduce falls and reduce the number of injuries associated with falls. (ACSQHC, 2009)
Patient fall prevention program: The Goals
The implementation of a patient fall program would serve numerous purposes for the patient, enhanced quality of life being the major focus of the program. However, these programs need to be assessed and monitored to evaluate the safety and efficacy. It is important that the primary goals of the patient fall prevention program are measurable. The primary goals of the patient fall prevention program are to decrease the incidence of falls, decrease the severity of falls, improve environmental safety, enhance staff knowledge, increase mobility and function, and improve patient’s confidence. The success of the program would lie in its goal-achieving strategy. The goals should be measurable and achievable. The most common way to assess or measure goals is to compare the rates of falls in the healthcare setting or institute. The use of statistics is found to be accurate and precise. The comparative fall rate also termed as fall rate’ is measured using a simple formula. The fall rate would be equal to the number of patient falls multiplied by a constant (k) divided by the total number of patients. The fall rate can be measured on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. However, it is recommended that the fall rate is measured on a daily basis for accurate results. (Fitzpatrick, A. 2011).
Intended outcome: As mentioned earlier, the success of the patient fall prevention program would depend on the strategy and design of the program. Increased quality of life and decreased number of falls are primary outcomes of the patient fall prevention program. Most patient falls occur in patients above the age of 65. The main outcomes would be to reduce and prevent the severity of falls among the elderly class of patients. There is a significant amount of patient falls among hospitalized patients. The program would make a difference among this group as well. The target population would benefit in terms of reduced fall-associated injury and increased self-confidence. The outcomes of the program is achievable provided the strategy and design are maintained at a superior level. (Fitzpatrick, A. 2011).
Project consistency: Nurse’s views and ideas in today’s society
Nurses and healthcare professionals play in important role in the prevention of patient falls in various healthcare settings. The paper would discuss on the implementation of a patient fall prevention program based on a nurse’s views and ideas. Most nurses feel that the implementation of a new program in a healthcare center is beyond their control. Nurses find it difficult to convince healthcare authorities or hospital business units about the inclusion of a patient fall prevention program. The implementation and discussion of patient fall prevention program is highly recommended prior to the execution of the program. Nurses need to learn various aspects of the healthcare setting prior to the implementation of the patient fall prevention program. Critical thinking is essential throughout the process.
(Child, S., et al; 2012)
However, nurses play an important role in the patient’s life. Nurse’s encourage and motivate the patients to a significant extent. The rate of falls decrease if proper nursing care is combined with treatment interventions. Nurses bridge the communication gap between the healthcare professional and the patient. Institutes and community care centers that include nurses in the patient fall prevention program have seen a 70% decrease in the total number of patient falls. The nurse would combine administrative abilities with patient care to implement the best patient fall prevention program. Nursing professionals would gather necessary information about the patient to improvise and prevent falls. Nurses provide emotional, cultural and psychological help to patients. In the case of complete dependence by the patient, nurse play a major role in fall prevention. Bed-ridden and hospitalized patients are completely dependent on nursing professionals. It is the duty of nursing professionals to assist the patients in all daily activities. The requirement of a nurse would enhance the patient fall prevention program to a significant extent. (Fitzpatrick, A. 2011)
Nurse’s role in the patient fall prevention program: Implementing and evaluation
The nurse should understand the healthcare or institutional environment. The current financial status, the administration, the competitive aspects, patient strength and hospital structure are to be studied in depth by the nursing professional. It is recommended that the patient acknowledges and addresses the challenges in the current status of the healthcare center to the concerned hospital authorities or administrators. (Child, S., et al; 2012)
Nursing professionals need to gather relevant data during the implementation of the patient fall prevention program. The healthcare setting is completely based in an evidence-based culture. The collection of relevant data based on the program is based on the skill of the nursing professional. If the healthcare setting consists of patients with musculoskeletal disorders (example), the nurse could gather relevant information and present the information in the form of a graph. Graphs or power point presentation of relevant information like the total number of patients, the number of high risk patients, the number of patients (with musculoskeletal disorders) and the strength of healthcare professionals would form the basis of strong presentation tool. Precise and clear data forms the basis of a solid implementation program. Nursing professionals can also include the benefits of gathering information prior to the execution of the program. (ACSQHC, 2009)
Evaluation of the program after successful implementation is crucial for the nursing professional. Evaluation would help in the necessary modifications in plan for the improvement of the patient fall prevention program. It is important that the nurse provides decision making factors to the administrators. Effective communication with the healthcare administrators, risk management team and finance department after the implementation is highly recommended. Patient and employee feedback after the execution of the program forms the base of a successful patient fall prevention program. (Child, S., et al; 2012)
References
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (U.S. VA). National Centre for patient safety. 2004 tools kit. [online]. 2004.Retrived: http://www.patientsafety.gov/SafetyTopics/fallstoolkit.
Fitzpatrick, A. (2011). Best Practices for Falls Reduction. American Nurse Today. Pdf file. Retrieved: http://www.americannursetoday.com/assets/0/434/436/440/7364/7542/7544/7634/4e4e7c0a-fddc-498a-9e6b-2f8736c36adb.pdf
Implementation Guide for Preventing Falls and Harm from Falls in Older People. Best Practice Guidelines for Australian Hospitals and Residential Aged Care Facilities.(2009). The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). Pdf file. Retrieved: http://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/30567-Guidelines-ImplementationGuide1.pdf
Child, S., Goodwin, V., Garside, R., Hughes, J., T., Boddy, K., & Stein, K. (2012). Factors influencing the implementation of fall-prevention programmes: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies. Implementation Science 2012, 7:91. Retrieved: http://www.implementationscience.com/content/7/1/91
