Creating a protocol to reduce inpatient falls

Falls in hospital are a widespread and challenging problem. They cause harm and distress to patients, and are a source of anxiety for nurses and relatives. This article describes how an acute trust in the North West of England improved its service through staff education and implementing a policy across the trust. The protocol included a falls risk assessment, bedrails risk/benefit assessment and preprinted falls risk assessment care plans. Nurses' knowledge and the quality and completeness of patient documentation improved and, over the three years, falls reduced by a statistically significant 17%.