Hospital patient falls cut by 29%

BY implementing a specialist assessment of high-risk patients, Livingstone Hospital has reduced the number of patient falls by 29% since January this year, hospital chief executive Thulane Madonsela said.

The hospital is now using the Morse Fall Risk assessment tool.

“This tool is completed on admission of the patient. The final score will guide the patient’s management,” Madonsela said.

“The hospital identified a need to improve the management of patients with a high risk of falling.”

He said staff had found the assessment tool quick and easy to use.

“We had a huge challenge with patients falling out of bed.

“The assessment will be done by professional nurses, who after scoring the patient, will draw up a plan depending on the individual’s risk.

“The operational and area managers of the wards and units are monitoring the implementation of the tool.

“Since the assessment scale was implemented in January, we have managed to reduce the number of falls in the hospital by 29%.”

High-risk patients would be put in cot beds.

DA Eastern Cape health spokeswoman Celeste Baker hailed the improvement.