10 Ways to Prevent Patient Falls

Outcomes of an Effective Falls Prevention Plan

To prevent patient falls through an effective falls prevention plan can positively impact patient safety, quality of care, and cost reduction. Research shows that many healthcare organizations have reported improved reductions in fall rates after implementing a fall prevention plan within their organization. When successfully implemented by following best practices, the incidence of falls can be greatly reduced and lead to positive outcomes and increased confidence of patients in their care.

The America Journal of Nursing published a case in which a hospital implemented a fall prevention plan that included hourly rounding of patients at a higher risk of falls. This plan led to a reduction in falls from 25 in the four weeks prior to implementation to 12 in the four weeks post implementation. This highlights the positive outcomes associated with a multifaceted fall prevention program that prioritizes reducing risk through a thorough analysis of root causes and a proactive approach to care.

In addition to the reduction of falls and fall-related injuries, a fall prevention plan can also enhance operational efficiency by reducing the time and resources spent on treatment. This leads to lower healthcare costs and higher efficiency of care. With more time and resources on hand, healthcare staff can focus on other critical areas of patient care and boost productivity.

Preventing patient falls through a fall prevention plan is essential for improving patient safety, reducing hospital stays, and enhancing organizational efficiency by minimizing the time, money, and resources spent on treating fall injuries. It also strengthens the culture of safety and boosts patient care outcomes across the organization.

How to Prevent Falls in Healthcare: Best Practices

An effective falls prevention plan is essential for enhancing patient safety and improving outcomes, requiring a comprehensive, proactive approach.

The high prevalence of patient falls underscores the urgent need to address this issue proactively. In fact, the Joint Commission reported serious injuries or death associated with inpatient falls as one of their top 10 reported sentinel events. By implementing evidence-based best practices and fostering a culture of safety, healthcare organizations can greatly reduce the occurrence of falls and reduce harm.

In order to implement a fall prevention plan, organizations should begin with conducting thorough risk assessments to identify categories of patients that might be at a higher risk for falls, such as those with illnesses that cause weakness or mobility issues, medicines that cause dizziness, or elderly age. By understanding the underlying causes of a fall, healthcare organizations can build a falls prevention program that proactively addresses these issues, implementing detailed interventions to minimize the risk of falls before they occur.

In addition, an effective fall prevention plan relies on proper education, training, and collaboration not only between staff but staff and patients. This starts with building a culture of safety by fostering open communication between care teams, patients, and patients’ families about the risk of falls. 

A culture of safety not only prioritizes safety within all aspects of the organization, but also encourages a commitment to work together with patients to ensure safety, boosting care outcomes.