A High Fall Risk Patient Perspective-Reducing Safety Challenges in an Acute Care Hospital

Area of Science:

• Medical Gerontology
• Patient Safety Research
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Inpatient falls pose a significant risk to patient safety and contribute to increased healthcare costs.
• Understanding patient perspectives on fall causation is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient-identified factors contributing to falls in a medical ward.
• To assess how patient understanding of fall prevention strategies influences their perceived fall risk.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory sequential mixed methods design.
• Quantitative data from fall databases and patient-centered care plans.
• Structured interviews with seven inpatients who experienced falls.

Main Results:

• Key fall contributors include low patient engagement with brochures, poor awareness of prevention strategies, inadequate supervision, delayed call bell responses, and communication breakdowns.
• Call-bell response times, nurse-patient communication quality, and patient response to strategies should be tracked.
• Findings highlight areas for improving fall prevention efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Patient engagement and effective communication are vital components of fall prevention.
• Addressing communication gaps and response times can mitigate patient risk-taking behaviors.
• Improving fall prevention strategies requires incorporating patient perspectives and enhancing care delivery processes.