A collaborative occupational therapy and nursing approach to falls prevention in hospital inpatients.
A retrospective audit of inpatient falls at the Gold Coast Hospital was conducted in August 1996. This collaborative approach of occupational therapy and nursing staff aimed to reduce the number of patients falling while they were hospital inpatients. From the first audit a number of high risk patient groups, activities and ward environments were identified and a falls prevention program implemented. A second audit conducted 2 years later demonstrated a decrease in falls and related injuries. This paper discusses the findings of the falls audit and presents the 'Fall STOP' falls prevention program that was initiated.
Brandis
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Occupational Therapy Services, Gold Coast District Health Service, Gold Coast Hospital, Southport, Qld, Australia.
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D015274:Interdepartmental Relations; D008485:Medical Audit; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009789:Occupational Therapy Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011793:Queensland; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012308:Risk Management / Q000458:organization & administration*