Inpatient falls audit in the Orthogeriatric ward in Princess Royal University Hospital

Title: Inpatient falls audit in the Orthogeriatric ward in Princess Royal University Hospital

Introduction: Inpatient falls for elderly inpatients are an ongoing concern as they can lead to poorer clinical outcomes including fractures, patients’ distress, and prolonged hospital stay. Effective prevention strategies, such as multifactorial risk assessments (MFRAs), are crucial for enhancing patient safety and care quality.

Aim: Determining the extent to which the MFRA is conducted for all inpatients in the orthogeriatric ward pre and post falls

Method:

1. Data were collected in retrospective
2. Patients discharged from the orthogeriatric ward between March-June 2023 were assessed using the MFRA for pre and post falls
3. The MFRA criteria were documented in the ward’s notice board to spread awareness between the doctors and nurses.
4. A second cycle was held between March-May 2024

Results:

1. The standards set for the audit were met in 7/10 of the MFRA criteria after the second cycle, compared to 5/10 after the first cycle.
2. An improvement noticed in the documenting the lying and standing blood pressure and in assessing the medications that can increase the falls risk
3. Areas of improvement identified in assessment of vision of the assessed patients

Conclusion:

The audit and the interventions showed an improvement in maintaining high quality MRFA for every patient in the orthogeriatric ward prior to falls. It helped in identifying the causes and triggers for falls, and understanding the areas of improvement in order to enhance the quality of the patients’ care inside the trust.