An Australian study recently published in the BMJ evaluated the 6-PACK falls reduction program in six hospitals, involving 31,000 patients. The intervention included a fall risk tool and the use of one or more of six interventions: "falls alert" signs, supervision of patients in the bathroom, ensuring walking aids are in easy reach, a toileting regimen, a low-low bed and a bed/chair alarm. A randomised controlled study allocated patients to either the usual care, or the 6-PACK program.
Barker and her colleagues concluded that "no difference was seen in falls or fall injuries between groups. High quality evidence showing the effectiveness of falls prevention interventions in acute wards remains absent. Novel solutions to the problem of in-hospital falls are urgently needed."
The related editorial, by Frances Healey, examines the results more closely, noting that in the US around one million patients fall in hospitals every year, and over 250,000 in the UK, "numbers that dwarf almost all other problems with patients’ safety." Healey recommends that local learning can be key, with incident reports being analysed to focus staff efforts where falls typically occur.
The related editorial, by Frances Healey, examines the results more closely, noting that in the US around one million patients fall in hospitals every year, and over 250,000 in the UK, "numbers that dwarf almost all other problems with patients’ safety." Healey recommends that local learning can be key, with incident reports being analysed to focus staff efforts where falls typically occur.
Barker, Anna L. et al. 6-PACK programme to decrease fall injuries in acute hospitals: cluster randomised controlled trial BMJ 2016;352:h6781
Healey, Frances Preventing falls in hospitals (Editorial) BMJ. 2016; 352:i251
Healey, Frances Preventing falls in hospitals (Editorial) BMJ. 2016; 352:i251
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