Authors (including presenting author) :
TSE CW (3), WONG CS (5)(6)(7), LEE SC (2), YAU CM (1), LAM MKR (3)(5), LI YNM (2), WONG LYH (1), CHEUNG SY (5), MAK YK (4), HUI MWV (5)(6)(7)
Affiliation :
(1) Prince of Wales Hospital (2) North District Hospital (3) Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (4) Tai Po Hospital (5) Shatin Hospital (6) Bradbury Hospice, (7) Cheshire Home, Shatin
Introduction :
Fall could lead to substantial physical consequences, psychological trauma and even death. Protecting patients from fall deserves our undivided attention. NTEC has all along been addressing this issue proactively and pragmatically. This abstract introduces the fall prevention strategies promoted by NTEC Patient Fall Prevention Workgroup where continues its success in keeping low in-patient fall rate over the years.
Objectives :
The objectives include (1) to reduce inpatient fall rate; (2) to enhance patients’ and their relatives’ awareness on risk of fall; (3) to reinforce staff’s alertness and surveillance to high-risk factors.
Methodology :
Enhance patients’ and relatives’ awareness on fall prevention
Video education was effective in reducing inpatient falls (Cuttler et al., 2017). A patient educational video on fall prevention was produced in cluster-based approach. It aims to enhance the awareness of patients during hospitalization. Poster, QR code and Youtube 新東台was available for staff and relative’ easy access.
Safety ward round
Safety ward round patrol was fully implemented in all NTEC hospitals. In the ward round, eight core areas associated with high fall risk were patrolled by nurses and PCAs specifically. Reachable call bell and patrol rounds records, for example, were checked regularly by nurses and nurse-in-charge.
Reinforce frontline fall prevention practices
Staff education sessions on risk identification and proper use of Morse Fall Scale were delivered regularly. Fall prevention devices, such as bed alarm and hip protector, were applied into daily patient care. Compliance on fall prevention measures was ensured by clinical supervision and regular audit.
Hospital-based measures
Fall rates of hospital were monitored regularly by cluster fall prevention workgroup. Fall incidents were investigated to identify the root causes and formulate the improvement strategies. Local CQIs were initiated to improve nursing care standard.
Reference
Cuttler, S. J., Barr-Walker, J., & Cuttler, L. (2017). Reducing medical-surgical inpatient falls and injuries with videos, icons and alarms. BMJ Open Quality, 6(2), e000119–e000119. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2017-000119
Result & Outcome :
Results
The numbers of fall incidents in NTEC had dropped dramatically by 23.5% during 2022/23 to 2023/24. The yearly in-patient fall rate in hospital (0.27) was staying lower than the overall HA figure (0.33), and had sustained its steadily decreasing trend since 2020.
Conclusion
Falls are undesirable but not unavoidable. The results do support our works in fall prevention. By the joint efforts from frontline nurses and promoted different strategies by Fall prevention workgroup, our patients would be safeguarded from the adversities of fall
