title: Hourly rounding for falls prevention: a change initiative.
abstract: Fall-related injuries are a particular concern within the elderly population, and trends toward an aging demographic will keep this issue at the forefront in health care. We are challenged to develop creative strategies to significantly reduce harm and fall rates among the elderly. This article describes the process of establishing an hourly rounding initiative in a health care facility. Hourly rounding is supported by the literature as an effective strategy for falls prevention and patient safety. When the initiative was not successfully adopted initially, the implementation process was critically examined and an innovative sustainability plan was developed to ensure that the change would be embedded in the organization's culture. Through this opportunity, nurses and allied health members from all levels were able to collaborate on strategies for this patient safety initiative.
authors.affiliation: Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. ddyck2@deerlodge.mb.ca
authors.forename: Daryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dyck
authors.affiliation: Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thiele
authors.affiliation: Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Rodney
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kebicz
authors.affiliation: Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klassen
authors.affiliation: Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Carly
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erenberg
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D061214:Patient Safety; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration