This document discusses regional collaboration in falls prevention among organizations in Finland. It summarizes that in 2012 there were over 7,800 hip fractures in Finland with treatment costs of about 250 million euros. It describes the formation of the Regional Fall Prevention Network, a multi-professional organization involving hospitals, health care centers, nursing homes, and academies. The network aims to promote falls prevention education and implement uniform evidence-based practices. Outcomes so far include establishing falls monitoring, prevention guidelines, and education programs across the region. Future plans include further integrating falls prevention practices between health and social care and evaluating network activities.

1. Regional collaboration in falls prevention - making a continuum
Tarja Tervo-Heikkinen, Clinical Nurse Consultant, RN, PhD
Arja Holopainen, RN, PhD, Research Director, Nursing Research Foundation
Kaisa Haatainen, RN, Associate Professor, Patient Safety Manager
Merja Miettinen, RN, CENO, Associate Professor
Kuopio University Hospital

2. Above - Kuopio University Hospital (KUH)
Below - Kuopio city seen from the Puijo tower
Regional Responsibilities of the five University Hospitals in Finland
KUH regional responsibility area

3. What Happens in Finland?
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In 2012 the amount of hip fractures was 7806
In 2012 falls, slips and trips caused 112,5 treatment periods per 10 000 citizen
Over 65 years old the frequency was 177,1 treatment periods per 10 000 citizen of the same age
SOTKAnet Statistics and Indicator Bank (www.sotkanet.fi); National Institute for Health and Welfare (www.thl.fi); Pajala 2012

4. What are the Costs of Falls?
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In 2012 in Finland occurred 7806 hip fractures to the citizens of over the age of 65
in 2-3 % of the hip fractures the reason is a fall
The costs of hip fractures after fall were about 250 m€ in 2010
SOTKAnet Statistics and Indicator Bank (www.sotkanet.fi); Piirtola et al. 2012. Gerontology 2012;58:296–304

5. The Regional Fall Prevention Network (RFPN) – the Goal
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To promote the awareness of fall prevention among patients and their families as well as social and health care personnel
by organizing education and training
by following falls in different organizations
by promoting evidence based uniform practices
by writing recommendations and guidelines

6. Multiprofessional RFPN
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Members are from
Kuopio University Hospital
other hospitals in the area
public health care (Health Care Centers)
private nursing home
academies (Savo Consortium for Education, Savonia University of Applied Sciences and University of Eastern Finland)

7. Outcomes
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Well functioning Network
Follow-up of the falls in the area
Uniform instructions for fall prevention
Regional education of health care personnel and students
The use of Fall Risk Assessment Tool
Checklist – tasks after fall
Keep Standing – guide
Process description
http://www.hotus.fi/hotus-en/model-consistent-practices

8. In the Near Future
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Implementing uniform practices in the area
health care
social care
academies
The evaluation of the actions

9. Our new hospital building will be introduced at the beginning of 2015
Making a continuum