Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong SH (1) Man SL (1) Chan KL (2) Ho HW (2)
Affiliation :
(1) Medicine Department (2) Physiotherapy Department Haven of Hope Hospital
Introduction :
Patient Falls in wards are common events which may cause loss of independence and physical injuries. Effective interventions are important as they will have significant health benefits. Conventional methods including physical restrain has been proven ineffective. A multidisciplinary and multi-dimensional patients fall prevention program was implemented to reduce fall incidents while maximize the mobility and functional independence in ward.
Objectives :
1. To reduce fall incidents in M&G ward 2. Minimize use of physical restraints. 3. To maintain mobility of patients through ward base training
Methodology :
The key elements of the program included: (1) Standardized assessment to identify patients with high fall risks and to determine the ambulatory level of hospitalized patients. (2) A signage at bed trunk showing the ambulatory status for patients that guide all team members including supporting staff to assist walking for patients in ward area. (3) Review patient’s mobility regularly through signage board and ward conference. (4) Engage relatives through education (5) Improve facilities including fall alarm and Merry walker which reduce the use of physical restraints while maximize functional independence. (6) Anti-slippery socks provided for indicated patients to minimize the use of slippers. (7) Regular training of supporting staff on skills of transfer and assisting walking. Fall rates in wards were collected and analyzed. A survey was conducted to evaluate the awareness of staff on patient falls.
Result & Outcome :
Fall rates of HHH in 2017 and 2018 was 0.36 and 0.31 showing a downward trend which was lower than HA average. In G&R ward, patients with fall risks identified were about 60%. Alarm pad was used for half of this group of patients with fall risk instead of physical restrainers while Merry Walker was used for about 5% of indicated patients with fall risk to maintain their mobility in ward.. In a staff survey on fall prevention program, 68% of staff indicated that their awareness of patient fall was increased after the program.77% of staff agreed that the signage was helpful to improve communication among disciplines on patient fall prevention.
Conclusion : The MDT program has demonstrated positive effect in reducing patient falls in ward through the active approach. It provided directions on building safety consciousness into clinical team and embedded routine vigilance are emerging features of the successful harm reduction system.
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