The Effects of a Fall Prevention Program on Falls, Patient Safety Culture and Patient-perceived Safety

Summary

The incidence of fractures in Norway is among the highest in the world, and falls are the sixth major contributor to years lived with disability. In elderly, a large part of 900 deaths from unintentional injuries per 100000 inhabitants per year, are due to falls and fractures. Fractures, especially hip fractures among the elderly, often result in pain, ailments, and reduced quality of life. In Norway, 11 % of all reports from the specialized health services were incidents related to falls. Worldwide, falls are among the most commonly reported adverse events in hospitals with prevalence rates in the order of 10 per 1000 patient days or 5-15 % of the patients, and are associated with both minor and major injuries. The results of preventive measures are conflicting.

In January 2011, the Norwegian health minister launched a national patient safety campaign called "In Safe hands". The campaign had three aims: 1) Reduce patient related adverse events, 2) Build sustainable systems and structures for patient safety, and 3) Improve the patient safety culture. Hospitals and primary care units were invited to participate in 16 specific and measurable areas for improvement. One out of four orthopedic departments at Møre og Romsdal Hospital Trust, Norway participated actively in a fall prevention program.

This study compares the changes in fall rates, the employees' perceived patient safety culture and the patient experienced safety before and after implementation of the fall prevention program at the orthopedic department in one hospital in the Møre \& Romsdal Hospital Trust, and at the same time points i another hospital in the same Trust but not having implemented the program.

Conditions

• Hospitalized Patients
• Accidental Falls

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

fall prevention program

fall prevention program in orthopedic department, consisting of 1) Seven examples of risk factors which might cause falls (diseases and medications, movement, cognitive behavior, vision, continence, nutrition, and the room and surroundings), 2) Methods to detect the risk factors, and 3) Measures to avoid falls or protect the patient in case of a fall.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Norwegian University of Science and Technology

  collaborator OTHER

• Sykehuset Innlandet HF

  collaborator OTHER

• Helse Møre og Romsdal HF

  lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

• Espen Remme · Helse Møre og Romsdal HF

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2011-11-01

Primary Completion

2014-10-31

Completion

2014-10-31

Countries

• Norway

Study Locations