Falls Prevention Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 1 Issue 8

Mandatory falls prevention training leads to a 10% reduction in falls

Source:  Nursing Standard,   2010 25(12) p. 18-9 

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: November 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell:  Impact is reported of the introduction of a mandatory falls management and prevention course for all nursing staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridgeshire. The programme’s use of falls prevention champions and a competency booklet for nurses and HCAs is outlined along with plans to make it an e-learning course.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

 

Essential care after an inpatient fall

Source: National Patient Safety Agency

Follow this link for the full text

Date of publication: January 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: The National Patient Safety Agency have issued new recommendations in a Rapid Response Report regarding care following inpatient falls. These guidelines are based on updated national falls data which highlighted failures in detection and treatment of injury among patients who fell, which resulted in fractures or brain injuries. Delays in assessing fallers including delays in fracture detection are cited in relation to many of the incidents reported. The Rapid Response Report recommendations set out the need for neurological observations and checks by nursing staff in addition to safe manual handling – all as part of a post-fall protocol. Accompanying the recommended actions is guidance on how organisations can ensure they remain compliant with the recommendations.

Length of publication: 1 page (report), 13 pages (supporting information)

Risks and suggestions to prevent falls in geriatric rehabilitation: a participatory approach

Source: BMJ Quality & Safety, published online 5 January 2011

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: January 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This study set out to determine risk factors and rates of falls on geriatric rehabilitation units in a US hospital and potential falls prevention measures. Falls were reviewed to establish rates and locations. and interviews with staff, fallers and their family members were conducted to gather information regarding risks specific to individual patients and preventative measures considered important by these groups. Identifying falls rates provided useful data for future comparisons whilst the qualitative interviews highlighted the importance of patient and family education on falls risk and other practical measures such as improved signage, lighting and footwear.

Length of publication: 9 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.  You will need an NHS Athens to access the full text of this article

Aknowledgement: Lynn Allan, E-Resources Librarian, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

Free WebEx series on inpatient falls

Source: North West Improvement Alliance hosted by Advancing Quality Alliance

Follow this link for the WebEx sessions

Date of sessions: February – June 2011

Publication type: Falls Prevention webinars

In a nutshell: The National Patient Safety Agency and the North West Quality Improvement Alliance have collaborated to provide a series of free monthly seminars on falls prevention which can be viewed online. Topics covered include falls screening assessment, engaging staff in falls prevention and the use of hip protectors. Inpatient falls prevention provides the overall theme for the sessions and case studies of acute trusts who have sustained improvements in falls prevention are featured.

Length of sessions: 1 hour each

Some important notes: Staff interested in these sessions will need to register their attendance via the link provided above.

Aknowledgement: “Free Web series on inpatient falls”, ProFane website(Prevention of Falls Network Europe), 10 January 2011

Quality improvement project eliminates falls in recovery area of high volume endoscopy unit

Source: BMJ Quality & Safety, published online 5 January 2011

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: January 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Tracking of endoscopic complications on a gastrointetsinal unit revealed several incidences of patient falls. Retrospective analysis of these falls revealed that older patients and those using an assistive device were at greater risk of falling often requiring further medical attention. A low-cost intervention was developed which incorporated a fall-risk assessment for patients arriving on the unit. Patients deemed high risk were identified and flagged using wrist bands and via paper and electronic chart records and accompanied by allied health staff or offered a wheelchair. Statistical analysis was then carried out which compared the number of procedures complicated by patient falls prior to and following the quality improvement intervention. Within a 12 month period of the intervention starting, there were no falls whereas in the 12 months prior to the intervention,  eight patients fell.

Length of publication: 4 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.  You will need an NHS Athens account to access the full text of this article

Aknowledgement: Lynn Allan, E-Resources Librarian, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

Long-term morbidity and mortality related to falls in haemodialysis patients: role of age and gender – a pilot study

Source: Nephron Clinical Practice, 2011, 118 (3), p278-84

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: January 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: In this pilot study, seventy-six patients on haemodialysis (HD) were assessed during a one year period using baseline assessments and documentation of falls to determine incidence and risk factors for falls amongst HD patients. Follow-up continued for a further two years to establish outcomes among the cohort. Elderley and female HD patients were shown to have a higher risk of falls than their younger and male counterparts and outcomes for HD patients who fell were typically worse with increased likelihood of nursing home admission and hospitalization and also risk of death.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Effective interventions to prevent falls injury in hospitals

Source: Nursing Older People. 2010, 22(9) p. 16 – 22

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: November 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell:  This article outlines the range of interventions that can reduce the likelihood of falls and injury, and explains the value of the Patient Safety First ‘How to’ guide in supporting nurses to implement them. Patient and service improvement case studies are described.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.