Implementation of evidence-based prevention of falls in rehabilitation units: a staff's interactive approach

To provide strategies to assist healthcare professionals in the area of rehabilitation to improve prevention of falls.

A conceptual framework is described as a foundation for the proposal of 2 intertwined strategies, of intervention and implementation, which target the questions: Which strategies for intervention represent the current best evidence? and: How can these strategies be implemented and continuously developed?

Strategies for multifactorial and multiprofessional fall preventive interventions are presented in terms of a "fall prevention pyramid model", including general, individualized, and acute interventions. A systematic global fall risk rating by the staff is recommended as an initial procedure. Fall event recording and follow-up are stressed as important components of local learning and safety improvement. Development of implementation strategies in 3 phases, focusing on interaction, facilitation and organizational culture, is described.

A well-developed patient safety culture focusing on prevention of falls will, when successfully achieved, be seen by staff, patients and their significant others as being characteristic of the organization, and will be evident in attitudes, routines and actions. Moreover, it provides potential for positive side-effects concerning organizational and clinical improvements in additional areas.