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Reducing serious fall-related injuries in acute hospitals: are low-low beds a critical success factor?
- Source :
- Journal of Advanced Nursing (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.); Jan2013, Vol. 69 Issue 1, p112-121, 10p, 4 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Aim. This article is a report of a study of associations between occurrence of serious fall-related injuries and implementation of low-low beds at The Northern Hospital, Victoria, Australia. Background. A 9-year evaluation at The Northern Hospital found an important reduction in fall-related injuries after the 6-PACK falls prevention program was implemented. Low-low beds are a key component of the 6-PACK that aims to decrease fall-related injuries. Design. A retrospective cohort study. Methods. Retrospective audit of The Northern Hospital inpatients admitted between 1999-2009. Changes in serious fall-related injuries throughout the period and associations with available low-low beds were analysed using Poisson regression. Results. During the observation of 356,158 inpatients, there were 3946 falls and 1005 fall-related injuries of which 60 (5·9%) were serious (55 fractures and five subdural haematomas). Serious fall-related injuries declined significantly throughout the period. When there was one low-low bed to nine or more standard beds there was no statistically significant decrease in serious fall-related injuries. An important reduction only occurred when there was one low-low bed to three standard beds. Conclusion. The 6-PACK program has been in place since 2002 at The Northern Hospital. Throughout this time serious fall-related injuries have decreased. There appears to be an association between serious fall-related injuries and the number of available low-low beds. Threshold numbers of these beds may be required to achieve optimal usability and effectiveness. A randomized controlled trial is required to give additional evidence for use of low-low beds for injury prevention in hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03092402
- Volume :
- 69
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Advanced Nursing (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 84385918
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.05997.x