A Quality Improvement Project on Prevention of Falls in Himalayan Hospital, Dehradun

Abstract

Falls that occur in hospitalized patients are a widespread and serious threat to patient safety. Accidental falls are among the most common incidents reported in hospitals, complicating approximately 2% of hospital stays. These incidents can lead to injuries, prolonged hospitalization, increased healthcare costs, and a decline in patient confidence and quality of life. To address this critical issue, a quality improvement project focusing on patient fall prevention was undertaken with the primary goal of enhancing practices related to fall prevention and reducing the incidence of falls in the hospital setting. The project began with a comprehensive analysis of fall incidents reported between January and July 2019. Root cause analysis revealed multiple contributing factors including inadequate staff training, inconsistent fall risk assessments, and lack of adherence to safety protocols. Based on these findings, a set of targeted interventions were developed and implemented. These included staff training sessions, the introduction of updated fall prevention policies and guidelines, reinforcement of safety practices, and continuous monitoring and auditing of compliance. As a result of these concerted efforts, a significant reduction in fall incidents was observed. By the end of 2020, the number of reported falls had decreased by 45% compared to previous levels. Notably, the incidence of falls remained below 0.2 per 1000 inpatient days from July 2019 onwards. Furthermore, improvements were noted in the regular assessment and reassessment of fall risk, as well as in the implementation of individualized preventive strategies. These outcomes highlight the effectiveness of a structured, data-driven approach to patient safety improvement.