Innovating Fall Safety

Engaging Patients as Experts

Abstract

Background: 

Injury falls are common, with nearly a million hospitalized patients falling annually. Fall risk identification and prevention are largely clinician-centric, lacking patient input.

Local Problem: 

Our fall rates were below the national mean; however, patients who fell and sustained injury were at or above the mean. We lacked processes that engaged patients as safety collaborators.

Methods: 

This was a quality improvement study examining the effect of a collaborative fall intervention on (1) patient knowledge in action and (2) incidence of falls.

Intervention: 

The patient fall assessment tool was implemented to facilitate collaborative safety conversations.

Results: 

We achieved a statistically significant improvement (P = .0007) in the patient's participation in the development of the safety plan, with a 25% reduction in total falls and a 67% reduction in injury falls.

Conclusions: 

The patient fall assessment tool may be a successful strategy to engage patients in the development of their safety plan and positively affect safety partnerships.