Authors (including presenting author) :
Tang CY(1), Lee TK (1), Choi SW (2), Lai PK(3), Tung CH(3), Sze To YP(3), Shiu YCI(3), Ngai KL(4), Ling KW(4), Tam YK(4), Lam MK(5)(6)(7), Chak KW(8), Ching KC(8)
Affiliation :
(1)Central Nursing Division, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital/Tai Po Hospital, (2)Information Technology, New Territories East Cluster, (3)Department of Accident & Emergency, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, (4)Department of Medicine, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, (5)Ear, Nose and Throat, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital/Prince of Wales Hospital, (6)Surgery, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital/Shatin Hospital, (7)Mix Ward, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, (8)Department of Orthopaedics - Traumatology, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital
Introduction :
Some Inpatient falls are prevalent, particularly among individuals aged 65 and older in Hong Kong, with 9.9% sustaining fractures and 31.3% experiencing soft tissue injuries. Traditional patient education methods, such as paper pamphlets, are often subject to be overlooked or lost. Evidence suggests that SMART products, including educational videos on tablet PCs, significantly enhance patient engagement in self-care and fall prevention. The "Patients' Pads@Wards" initiative seeks to sustainably repurpose iPads that are not on the latest firmware or hardware generation, facilitating standardized multimedia educational content on fall prevention in AHNH inpatient units.
Objectives :
1. Optimize accessibility of fall prevention education for patients/relatives through electronic means.
2. Enhance awareness of potential fall prevention strategies among patients/relatives.
3. Reduce the number of falls in the pilot wards.
Methodology :
In October 2024, the NTEC Nursing Workgroup on Patient Fall Prevention developed a 3.5-minute educational video for inpatients and relatives. With support from NTEC ITD, six iPads pre-loaded with the video were distributed to three pilot wards (EMW D3, MED E5, and ORT E2) in November 2024. A standardized workflow was established whereby nurses routinely provided universal fall prevention education with the said iPads to cognitively sound, newly admitted patients during the admission process. Ward coordinators were appointed to oversee project implementation. Project was evaluated by the number of educational sessions conducted, satisfaction surveys, and a comparison of total fall numbers during pilot period to the same period in last year.
Result & Outcome :
From November 11, 2024, to January 14, 2025, 305 patients received fall prevention education and watched educational video on "Patients’ Pads@wards". Satisfaction surveys indicated that 97% of patients and 100% of their relatives reported enhanced awareness of fall risks and prevention. Over 95% of nurses agreed that iPads facilitated patients/relatives’ easier understanding on educational content, and 86% expressed satisfaction with the tablet-displayed videos to enrich nursing education. The total fall numbers among the 3 wards dropped from 7 (Nov23-Jan24) to 0 (Nov24-Jan25).
"Patients’ Pads@wards" offers a sustainable and accessible means of delivering fall prevention education, maximizing the use/value of repurposed iPads. The pilot demonstrated potential for expansion into other patient and relative education topics across various specialties.
