Fall prevention for inpatient oncology using lean and rapid improvement event techniques

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Patient Safety Research
• Hospital Management

Background:

• Hospital falls are a significant cause of non-fatal injury and trauma-related hospital admissions, with increasing death rates.
• Global health organizations emphasize evidence-based interventions for fall prevention.
• Aging populations contribute to a rise in fall-related incidents and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reduce patient falls and falls with injury in oncology divisions.
• To decrease patient falls by 50% and falls with injury by 30% through standardized processes.

Main Methods:

• A Rapid Improvement Event (RIE) was employed, aligning with the hospital's lean transformation initiative.
• Multidisciplinary input was gathered from various departments, including physical therapy, pharmacy, and clinical operations.
• Standardized assessment, intervention, and post-fall investigation processes were implemented.

Main Results:

• A 22% decrease in the total fall rate was achieved.
• A 37% decrease in falls with injury rate was observed, exceeding the 30% goal.
• The intervention period lasted 16 months post-implementation.

Conclusions:

• Falls are complex issues requiring continuous improvement and vigilance for patient safety.
• Proactive intervention based on anticipated physiological changes is critical for fall prevention.
• Leadership and staff investment in fall prevention goals are essential for sustained success, complementing risk assessment tools.