This document discusses falls in hospital settings and provides information on preventing falls. It defines a fall and outlines the consequences of falls, including injuries occurring in 6-44% of inpatient falls and an older adult dying from a fall every 29 minutes. The impact on facilities includes increased costs and length of stay as well as issues with reimbursement and accreditation. The document recommends various ways to prevent falls, such as using armbands, non-skid slippers, and alarms, as well as patient education. Successfully preventing falls can result in avoided injuries, reduced costs, higher quality patient care, and better outcomes.
2. What is a fall?
A fall is defined as
an event which
results in a person
coming to rest
inadvertently on
the ground or floor
or other lower
level.
3. What are the consequences
of falls?
• 1/3 of adults over
age 65 fall each
year.
• Injuries occur in 6-
44% of inpatient
falls.
• An older adult dies
from a fall every 29
minutes.
4. What is the impact of a fall on
the facility?
Increased cost of care
Increased length of stay
Lack of insurance company
reimbursement
Issues with accreditation and certification
Negative reputation within the
community
5.
6. How do we prevent falls?
Armbands Non-skid Slippers
7. How do we prevent falls?
Alarms Patient Education
8. Impact of Fall Reduction
Avoidance of preventable injury
Reduction in costs of fall-related injuries
Higher quality, safer patient care
Decreased length of stay
Better patient outcomes
