A study of patient falls in a long term care institution before and after the implementation of a fall prevention program

Smith, Sharon (1996) A study of patient falls in a long term care institution before and after the implementation of a fall prevention program. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (12MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

This descriptive study was conducted to assess the fall rate before and after the implementation of a fall prevention program in a local long term care facility. The sample consisted of all patients who were residents on the study units, and fell while hospitalized at the local long term care facility during the periods studied. Data regarding falls during the six months prior to the implementation of the fall prevention program, and six months following its implementation were collected, through a review of patient charts, incident report forms and the follow-up report form. Falls were categorized as accidental, anticipated and unanticipated. -- The results indicated that falls were a significant problem, as 351 falls were reported during the study periods. Fall rates actually increased, although not significantly, following the implementation of the fall prevention program, but injury rates did not increase. A number of factors were felt to affect fall rates, including the implementation of a facility wide policy of least restraint and the implementation of measures that were probably inadequate to address the fall rates. -- Implications for nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research arising from the results of the study are discussed.

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