“It can be very daunting”: Hospital staff views on, and experiences of falls in hospital patients with communication disability.
Rebecca Sullivan1,2, Bronwyn Hemsley1, Katherine Harding2,3, Ian Skinner41University Of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia2Eastern Health , Box Hill, Victoria , Australia3La Trobe University, Bundoora , Victoria , Australia4Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Background: Patients with communication disability following stroke have unique factors that contribute to their falls in hospital including difficulties communicating basic needs and attracting attention. Medical record chart review and incident reports reveal multiple factors leading up to and following falls, but more information is needed help to understand more about the circumstances of the falls. This study aimed to explore the views of hospital clinicians regarding the falls of hospital patients with communication disability following stroke, for further detail on contextual factors that could be used to guide patient safety programs.
Method: Online focus groups involved 11 staff (nurses, allied health professionals, doctors) in one of four group discussions, which were transcribed and analysed for content themes.
Results: The three content themes were: (a) communication disability forms a barriers to falls prevention strategies being effective, (b) falls impact patients and staff, and are personally and professionally challenging for staff to manage, (c) falls prevention programs could be adapted in an effort to meet the information, communication, and cognitive support needs of patients with communication disability.
Conclusion: Hospital staff recognise complexity in the falls of patients with communication disability after stroke, and a need for more nuanced management and falls prevention for this group. Health professionals skilled in adapting information and communication methods (e.g., speech pathologists) could have an important role in assisting in this process. Further co-designed research should investigate strategies that may contribute to enhanced falls prevention and management for patients with communication disability after stroke.
Biography
Rebecca is a certified practicing speech pathologist and PhD candidate at UoT Sydney. Rebecca is a Wiradjuri decendent and is supported in her studies by a Jumbunna Post Graduate Research Scholarship. Her PhD is focusing on falls in hospital in patients with communication disability following stroke. Rebecca has over 15 years experience working with people with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties.