April Falls Month
Campaign raises awareness of the impact of falls, and prevention strategies
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba has a proactive campaign to improve patient safety by reducing the number of trips and falls in the hospital. Trips and falls represent a significant challenge in hospitals where patients are often vulnerable and their mobility compromised. The consequences of falls can range from minor injuries to severe complications, so falls management is naturally a critical aspect of patient safety measures. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital admissions in Australia, with approximately 30 per cent of people over the age of 65 experiencing a fall each year. With an ageing population and an increase in complex medical conditions, St Vincent’s Toowoomba is continually refining our strategies to prevent and reduce the risks of patient falls.
The April Falls Month campaign was developed by the NSW Fall Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network and aims to raise awareness about the impact of falls and promote the latest best practice fall prevention strategies.
Our amazing team in St Anne’s orthopaedic ward initiated a “Crazy Scrubs Day” to bring awareness to April Falls Month. Across the hospital there were lots of bright colours and fun scrubs’ patterns. St Anne’s created a catch phrase: Call don’t fall, reminding patients to call for nurse assistance when they want to get out of bed. They worked closely with our Allied Health team, offering staff education around motivating patients to get active, proper lifting techniques and communication strategies.
Various strategies to reduce the potential for falls, in both hospital and home settings are:
● Patient education: Teaching patients and their families about fall prevention strategies and the importance of mobility aids, such as walkers or handrails.
● Mobility assistance: Ensuring patients receive assistance during transfers between beds, chairs and bathrooms. This may involve mobility aids or nursing staff/family members providing support.
● Environmental modifications: Removing potential hazards such as slippery floors, inadequate lighting or cluttered walkways.
● Physical activity: Recommending that all adults (regardless of age, health or ability) do 30-60 minutes of physical activity most days. To prevent falls and maintain independence, this should include exercise or activities that improve strength and balance.
We’re very proud of the St Anne’s ward staff and the Allied Health team for supporting this initiative and ensuring our patients receive the best care.