Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung YF, Kwok HH, Yeung YP, Hui MF, Chan PL
Affiliation :
Quality and Safety Unit, Central Nursing Department, Caritas Medical Centre
Introduction :
In-patient falls are a critical concern in hospital risk registry with devastating outcomes profoundly impact both patient and healthcare system. In an effort to lower the fall rate, the Quality and Safety (Q&S) Unit applied a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) approach to analyse hospital-wide fall incidents in CMC during 2Q 2024. A service gap was identified, leading to the development and execution of tailor-made fall prevention strategies. The effectivene
Objectives :
To delineate a structured plan for fall reduction that highlights high pressure areas, implement tailor-made interventions and evaluate the impact through continuous auditing and fall incidence data.
Methodology :
Incidents recorded in 2Q 2024 were reviewed to identify the department with the highest number of falls, designated as high-pressure area. A detailed analysis on the occurred incidents revealed underlying causes, informing the design of tailor-made interventions addressing each area’s specific needs. These interventions were integrated into the PDCA cycle for planning, implementation and evaluation. The resulting fall data, alongside audits, tracked the effectiveness of each intervention.
Result & Outcome :
After formulating the tailor-made intervention, sessions of demonstration of fall preventive equipment, Individual coaching to nurse supervisors in the area, and daily review of the accuracy of Morse Fall Scale (MFS) were provided to the high-pressure area. Preliminary outcomes demonstrated a decline in reported fall incidents following the introduction of these tailor-made fall prevention interventions. Audits further revealed improvements in staff awareness, knowledge on the use of fall preventive equipment and assessment skill of MFS.
Continuous improvements through further PDCA cycles will sustain and enhance fall reduction efforts across all departments, ensuring that this programme remains adaptable and effective in preventing future falls.
