title: Best practice fall prevention strategies. CATCH!
abstract: In a quest to exceed the expectations of our veterans, the staff strives to perform at the highest level of competence in all endeavors. An opportunity to improve nurse-sensitive indicators associated with patient falls was noted. The fall prevention program was evaluated and a plan was formulated. The 5 principle elements incorporated in clinical trials for practice improvement included: collaborative interdisciplinary practice, active leadership engagement, use of technology to support processes, carefully executed communication strategy and house-wide change. As a result of practice improvements at the study facility, positive outcomes were evident. In a national database for hospitals having a similar bed size, the study facility outperformed more than half of others in regard to total falls and falls with injury per 1000 days during two-quarters.
authors.affiliation: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA. Rizalina.bonuel@va.gov
authors.forename: Nena
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bonuel
authors.forename: Aleyamma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manjos
authors.forename: Lottie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lockett
authors.forename: Thelma
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gray-Becknell
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007857:Leadership; D015279:Organizational Culture; D011367:Professional Staff Committees; D058996:Quality Improvement; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012308:Risk Management / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States