Title : Let’s stop fall: A swot analysis of B6 inpatient medical surgical unit fall prevention strategies
Abstract:
Falls during hospitalization are the most common adverse events reported. This untoward patient experience during hospital stays results in serious injuries, longer hospital stays and an increase in medical costs. It also affects healthcare staff as it results in increased stress, anxiety, feeling of failure and decreased job satisfaction. Factors that can contribute to fall include Age (memory loss, confusion, difficulties with thinking and problem solving), Medications (tranquilizers, sedatives, antidepressants, and blood pressure lowering medications. The side effects of some medicines – such as dizziness, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, drowsiness, blurred or double vision and difficulty thinking clearly), Bladder and bowel conditions (causes you to rush to the toilet, or visit more often), vision problems, muscle weakness, balance and gait issues. Identification of underlying risk factors combined with clear and effective interventions can reduce fall incidence and improve patient safety, patient satisfaction and patient experience. This SWOT analysis identify the factors that contribute to fall incidents in the hospital inpatient setting. It aims to examine the hospital policies and procedures for fall that include standardizing the assessment of patient risk for falls using an evidence-based tool, promoting the best practices, safety interventions and strategies for fall prevention, tailoring intervention for patient safety including patient and family education, proper documentation and post fall huddle. The objective also includes analyzing the strength of current fall precaution procedures, its flaws or identifying gaps that need to be improved and having an opportunity to mitigate threats that could increase fall incident. Through systematic and thorough scrutinization of these aspects, we can promote protocols and strategies that will prevent falls, enhance patient safety and elevate patient experience and satisfaction.
