b'FALLS PREVENTIONPreventingand reducinginjuries from fallsHow using the RNAO best practiceguidelines makes a differenceH ampton Terrace Care CentreOur measures: We used the NursingThis includes a botanical moisturizing is a 101-bed home locatedQuality Indicators for Reporting andskin cream applied to both arms in Burlington, Ontario,Evaluation (NQuIRE) data systemfrom elbows to hands, and both established in 2001. We are an LTC- to determine the number of residentslegs from knees to feet. Assessment BPSO pre-designate facility, with awho fell in the reporting years. Ouris performed by the registered staff mission to promote resident andinternal QIP audits captured thebased on the Braden Scale and family-centred care and quality of lifenumber of injuries from falls. physical assessment.through excellence, teamwork Key findingsand innovation.We provided education to staff on all From January 2020 to June 2022fall prevention interventions available, Between 2020 and 2022, wethere was a significant reductionwhere to find them, why to use them, integrated RNAOs best practicein the number of residents whoand how to use them. guideline, Preventing Falls andsustained injuries from a fall. The Reducing Injury from Falls, Fourthnumber of residents who experiencedWe used the Falling Star Program to Edition, to improve resident outcomesa fracture dropped from 2.3% to 0.9%;enhance identification of residents at and quality of life. We were able tothe number who experienced skinhigh risk for falls. Residents assistive decrease resident injuries from fallstears dropped from 3.5% to 2.3%; anddevices are tagged with a falling star as a direct result of implementingthe overall decline in other injurieslogo. All residents have a poster over this best practice guideline andsustained in falls went from their beds to indicate falls prevention the implementation process19.1% to 4.5%.interventions, transfer status, and taught us how to enhance teamassistive devices in use.communication and collaboration.Hampton Terrace implemented a This allowed us to plan for andmulti-interventional organization-wideThese straightforward practices implement sustainable change withstrategy to reduce falls and injurymade a significant difference to our positive outcomes for our staff, familyfrom falls using the recommendationsresidents by reducing the likelihood of and residents.of RNAOs best practice guideline.injury should a resident experience a After a thorough gap analysis, wefall. Hampton Terrace demonstrated We hope that by sharing ourdeveloped a plan for implementationthat the implementation of RNAOs findings, we are able to inspire otherthat included organizational policybest practice guideline (BPG), organizations to improve residentchanges, increased education toPreventing Falls and Reducing Injury outcomes and quality of care bystaff, improved assessment andfrom Falls, Fourth Edition led to a working as a cohesive team anddocumentation procedures.significant decrease in percentage implementing best practices forof injuries sustained when a resident Notable practice changesLTCTpreventing and reducing injuries experienced a fall.from falls.We improved post-fall documentation to include a multi-disciplinary reviewAuthors: Veronica Webb, RN,Our goal: We wanted to determineof current falls interventions, high fallsInfection Prevention and the impact on rates of injury post-fallrisk medications, patterns or trends, associated with the implementation ofand resident change of health status. Control (IPAC) Manager and RNAOs Preventing Falls and ReducingCharlotte Hutchinson, RN, Injury from Falls, Fourth Edition BPGA skin integrity improvementClinical Manager with Hampton to determine the impact on residentintervention was implemented for allTerrace at the time of writing.outcomes and quality of life. residents with high risk for skin tears. 44 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2023'