Patient Safety: Falls Case Study

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Patient Safety: Falls

Erica L. Ray

Baker University School of Nursing

The average cost for a fall with injury is about $14,000 ( joint commission 2015 p. 1). Falls are a prevalent problem in healthcare facilities. According to Hicks (2015) " A fall is defined as an unexpected descent from a standing, sitting, or supine position". Falls can happen to anyone at any time and the injuries can range from moderate to death. "Over 20% of people who fall suffer moderate-to-severe injuries, such as bruises, hip fractures, or head trauma" (Hicks 2015). Elderly adults are more susceptible to falls that result in serious injury due to the decrease of bone density and aging in general. No matter the extent …show more content…

After a patient experiences first fall, they develop a fear of falling. Having a fear of falling may cause the patient to limit their activities such as mobility and decrease in physical mobility which could potentially increase the risk of the patient falling again. In the elderly the loss of independent living is a major concern. "Compared with individuals 65 to 74 years of age, individuals 75 years of age or older are four to five more times more likely to be admitted to a long-term health care facility for one year or longer after a fall" (Schimke 2014). The cost of a fall is enough to put a financial burden on the patient depending on the severity of the injuries obtained. Joint Commission (2015) states " In one study, a fall with injury added 6.3 days to the hospital stay". An increase in hospital stay increases health care costs due to needed other resources to supplement the fall such as inpatient/outpatient physical or occupation therapy and home health care or rehab care. "By 2020, the annual direct and indirect cost of fall injuries is projected to exceed $54 billon". A fall does not only affect the finances for the patient, it also affects the cost for insurance and facility. With an increase in falls health insurance will start to climb. Families of patients that suffer falls with injury also could be affected by having to take time off from work, providing care for a loved one, and/or trying to find …show more content…

Safety is responsibility of the whole healthcare team. Any patient who enters a hospital or healthcare facility should be screened for fall risk upon admittance. Hicks (2015) states " Patient falls are recognized as a quality improvement through nurse-led safety strategies. These strategies include screening upon admission and implementing fall prevention strategies specific to the facility and nurse discretion. In order for the nurse to be successful at doing this a facility needs to have a protocol and proper training on fall situations. Nurses start with orientating to new environment by showing patient how to use the call light, rounding at least every 2 hours, any type of alarm that is needed or even a patient sitter. A study was done using evidence based practice to implement a safety team. "Successful falls prevention strategies included staff education about the fall-injury risk assessment tool, post-fall assessments, alarm device usage, side effects of medications, hourly rounding, and offering toileting frequently" (Godlock et al 2016). The whole healthcare team has to be engaged for team effort in reducing falls. A fall safety team should include nurses, medication aides, and certified nurses assistants and a universal or facility protocol should be part of handbook and annual training should be done to keep everyone current on training and any new changes. Godlock

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