Heather McConnell, RN, BScN, MA(Ed)Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario

(10 Minutes)

Objectives

To introduce the key content elements of the Reducing Falls and Injury from Falls

Getting Started Kit

Getting Started Kit….

Interventions to Reduce Falls and Injury from Falls

•Assess all patients/clients/residents: on admission, following change of status, following a fall and on a regular schedule

RISK ASSESSMENT

•Communicate the risk assessment results to patient/client/resident, healthcare team and family

•Educate all staff on the prevention of falls and fall injuries

•Educate all patients/clients/residents and families about falls risk status and interventions

COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION ABOUT FALLS RISK

•Patient/Client/Resident Level:•Create an Individualized Care Plan

•Organizational Level:•Develop Approaches for Regular Safety Checks

•Develop Policies for falls prevention/management, including responsibilities of all care providers

• Investigate contributing factors of all falls/near falls

IMPLEMENT INTERVENTIONS FOR THOSE AT RISK OF

FALLING

• Identify those who have fallen as high risk, implement interventions

• Modify the environment and provide personal protective devices

CUSTOMIZATION OF INTERVENTIONS FOR THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK OF FALLS

RELATED INJURY

• Morse Fall Scale

• STRATIFY Risk Assessment

• Hendrich II Fall Risk Model

Risk Assessment

• Assess all patients/clients/

residents: on admission, following change of status, following a fall and on a regular schedule

RISK ASSESSMENT

• Physical and Functional Status – Timed Up and Go – Berg Balance Scale – Tinetti Gait and Balance Instrument

• Cognitive Impairment• Osteoporosis• Hearing and visual acuity• Malnutrition and dehydration

– Mini Nutrition Assessment – SF

Risk Screening

• Assess all patients/clients/

residents: on admission, following change of status, following a fall and on a regular schedule

RISK ASSESSMENT

Communication and Education about Falls Risk

•Communicate the risk assessment results to patient/client/resident, healthcare team and family

•Educate all staff on the prevention of falls and fall injuries

•Educate all patients/clients/residents and families about falls risk status and interventions

COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION ABOUT FALLS

RISK

Implement Interventions for those at Risk for Falls

Canadian Falls Prevention Curriculum Model

Health Management

Clothing and Footwear

Activity

Environment

Equipment

Education

Behaviour Change

IMPLEMENT INTERVENTIONS FOR THOSE AT RISK OF

FALLING

•Patient/Client/Resident Level:• Create an Individualized Care

Plan•Organizational Level:•Develop Approaches for Regular

Safety Checks•Develop Policies for falls

prevention/management, including responsibilities of all care providers• Investigate contributing factors

of all falls/near falls

Customization of Interventions for those at Highest Risk of Falls Related Injury

Risk Factors for Falls Related Injury

A – Age or frailtyB – BonesC – Coagulations – recent surgery

•Identify those who have fallen as high risk, implement interventions

•Modify the environment and provide personal protective devices

CUSTOMIZATION OF INTERVENTIONS FOR THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK OF FALLS

RELATED INJURY

Customization of Interventions for those at Highest Risk of Falls Related Injury

•Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis

- Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation- Individualized exercise program that incorporates weight bearing activities

•Identify those who have fallen as high risk, implement interventions

•Modify the environment and provide personal protective devices

CUSTOMIZATION OF INTERVENTIONS FOR THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK OF FALLS

RELATED INJURY

…Getting Started Kit…• Measurement

– Technical Description & Tips for Collecting Data

• Educational Resources • The Model for Improvement

– Implementing Falls Intervention Strategies

• Framework for Spread