Patient Falls: Improving Patient Safety, Continuing Challenge

Purpose: Although the previous Patient Fall Prevention program required adult inpatients be assessed using the Hendrich II Fall Risk Assessment tool on admission and each shift, challenges to identify high risk patients persisted.  A revised Patient Fall Prevention program mandated adult inpatients be assessed using three different aspects of fall potential assessment on admission and each shift. Scoring levels were determined within the program.

Methods: A retrospective chart review non-experimental design was implemented to validate the assessment program. A random selection of completed charts was used for the study: pre-program implementation (N= 90) and 6 months Post-program implementation (N=90). Demographical information was collected along with the scores for each of the tools and the High Risk Fall Qualifiers which reflected the nurses' unique assessment. Only aggregate data is reported. 

Results: For the statistical analyses, frequencies were computed.  Each tool was analyzed to determine the appropriateness of the tool use.  The number of falls documented during the designated period of time was compared.

Conclusion: This presentation will reflect the research process and the results from the study.  The statistics reflect nursing judgment as an important component within the assessment process. While the tools are effective, the addition of nursing perception is essential.