Developing a unit-specific falls reduction program.

Abstract

Though an extensive amount of literature addresses the significance of patient falls and mechanisms to identify those at high risk, much less has been written regarding units in which nearly every patient fits the high-risk category. In addition, little information describes specific interventions designed to protect at-risk patients. In response to a record number of falls in the Transitional Care Unit at an acute care facility, an interdisciplinary team was developed to review patient falls, design a unit-specific falls reduction program, and begin its implementation. In the subsequent 6 quarters, the number of patient falls was reduced by 57%.