Authors (including presenting author) :
Wu TC(1),Ho HW(1),Kwan KY(1),Yip KC(1),Lau PP(1),Mok YF(1),Ng PK(1),Kwan HY(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kowloon Hospital
Introduction :
In-patient fall prevention is crucial for patient safety and requires active engagement from both patients and their caregivers. Traditional methods like poster and eye-catching signage could serve the purpose but notification fatigue inevitably occurs at times, especially for illiterate patients or elderly with poor eye-sight. With technology advancement, animated video could be readily produced by non-IT professional using commercial software. We could therefore apply a more vivid mode of patient education.
Objectives :
To enhance fall prevention education for patients and caregivers by a short but engaging animation tailored to our patients’ need.
Methodology :
Reviewing patient fall incidents in our department over the last one year, their root causes are mainly:1.Patient did not use their prescribed assistive device;2.Did not seek timely assistance when get up or walk.A 3-minute animated video with sound effect was designed to address these problems. Four key preventive actions were stressed in the video:1.Using the nurse call bell for assistance;2.Keeping essential items within reach to minimize unsafe movement;3.Adherence to mobility and safety instructions and advice by healthcare staff;and 4.Proper using assistive devices like handrails and walking aids. The video was shown to all in-patients who were communicable with no significant cognitive impairment upon admission in a pilot ward,regardless of their source of admission.Staff and patients were invited to complete a patient satisfaction survey to assess its effectiveness.
Result & Outcome :
From September 2024 to Dec 2025, the video was provided to 100 patients.All of them finished the whole video and completed the patient satisfaction survey (completion rate 100%). Feedback from both staff members and patients has been encouraging.Staff agreed that the video effectively enhanced patient awareness and promoted adherence to safety advice,recommending it as part of the patient education materials provided to all suitable patients, even those with poor eye-sight upon admission.Patients expressed that the video increased their awareness of fall prevention, and the safety advice was pragmatic. These positive feedback underscores the video's role in augmenting the fall preventive education work, and reflect that animation, unlike traditional hard-copies reading materials, could deliver captivating, clear and concise message. The effort in making animation using computer software is similar to that for preparing educational reading materials but it could be more engaging and environmentally friendly. Use of animation for patient education should be promulgated and expanded to other aspects.
