Implementing Interdisciplinary Communication to Decrease Falls in a Post-Acute Care Setting: A Quality Improvement Initiative

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Martha Mills (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Falls are the leading cause of accidental deaths in older adults , and are a growing public health concern. People aged 65 and older are at increased risk for falls and account for 20-30% of mild to severe injuries and more than 50% of injury-related hospitalizations. Studies have shown that evidence-based interventions to improve communication and implement team based approaches to care results in improved outcomes. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to educate all staff in a long-term care rehabilitation facility on fall prevention , implement a falls huddle , SBAR (situation , background , assessment , recommendation) communication methods to promote compliance with the program by improving communication , and decreasing in number of falls. The pre-project data collection involved reviewing the current falls policy , screening measures , and a retrospective review of data related to facility falls , including type of injury sustained related to fall. Interventions to improve communication included a brief (5-10 minute) interdisciplinary huddle at the shift change to identify residents at risk for falls as well as a post-fall huddle tool to address acute falls. The staff communication approach utilized the SBAR technique. A post fall huddle took place within 30 minutes following a fall and included all members of the health care team involved , the patient , and family member , if present. Data collection took place at 30 , 45 , and 60 days after implementation , to follow up on the quality improvement , assess number of falls , and determine if the intervention yielded an improvement in the fall rate. After staff education and implementation of the project tools , data review did not show significant changes in the overall number of falls. Utilization of the post-fall huddle reporting tool was nil. A falls committee was started during the course of the project and continues. Facility leadership reports increased knowledge and communication regarding falls continues to improve.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Mills , Martha. (November 2017). Implementing Interdisciplinary Communication to Decrease Falls in a Post-Acute Care Setting: A Quality Improvement Initiative. (DNP Scholarly Project , East Carolina University).

Language: English

Date: 2017

Keywords

Falls; Fall risk; Elderly; Long-term care (LTC); Huddle; SBAR; Collaboration; Interdisciplinary Communication; Evidence-based practice (EBP)

Subjects

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