Ms Jamie Grant1
1Calhn, Adelaide, Australia
Abstract:
Background:
The Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) is the largest health network in South Australia, covering almost 30% of the population. Falls with harm resulting in fracture or intracranial injury are a prevalent problem at CALHN with health round table data showing comparative performance to be below the 75th percentile and above the peer median rate per 10000 occupied bed days. The impact of this is significant for both the consumer (reduced quality of life, decreased physical & cognitive function, inability to return home or death) and the health care system (increased cost associated with Hospital Acquired Complications (HAC), length of stay and patient flow/bed availability).
Method:
The Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) continuous improvement framework (8 step problem solving process) was applied with representatives from CALHN participating in the 9 month SALHN Continuous Improvement program. Undertook extensive diagnostic and engagement phase and are currently planning interventions.
This project is currently up to the intervention implementation stage with interventions including standardising falls risk and cognitive impairment visual cues across General Medicine wards, utilising allied health assistants to deliver falls prevention education and implementing post fall multi-disciplinary huddles.
Given the extensive diagnostic phase, cross collaboration between local health networks to build partnerships and the multi-pronged intervention approach that is aligned with recent global falls recommendations: this project would be valuable to share at a national level.
This project will be presented at Flinders University 23rd of May so will be ready for presentation at the conference in August.