Bethany Radecki1, Staci Reynolds2, Areeba Kara3. 1. Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital, 1701 North Senate Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Electronic address: bradecki@iuhealth.org. 2. Duke University Hospital, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Electronic address: Staci.reynolds@duke.edu. 3. Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital, 1701 North Senate Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Electronic address: akara@iuhealth.org.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the patient's perspective of fall prevention in an acute care setting to aid in the design of patient centered strategies. BACKGROUND: Falls are one of the most common adverse events in hospitals and can lead to preventable patient harm, increased length of stay, and increased healthcare costs. There is a need to understand fall risk and prevention from the patients' perspectives; however, research in this area is limited. METHODS: To understand the patient perspective, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve patients at an academic healthcare center. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis revealed three major themes: (1) how I see myself, (2) how I see the interventions; and (3) how I see us. The theme "How I see myself" describes patients' beliefs of their own fall risk and includes the sub-themes of awareness, acceptance/rejection, implications, emotions, and personal plan. Interventions, such as fall alarms, are illustrated in the theme "How I see the interventions" and includes the subthemes what I see and hear and usefulness of equipment. Finally, "How I see us" describes barriers to participating in the fall prevention plan. CONCLUSIONS: Most fall prevention programs favor clinician-led plan development and implementation. Patient fall assessments needs to shift from being clinician-centric to patient-centric. Nurses must develop relationships with patients to facilitate understanding of their needs. Developing these truly patient-centered programs may reduce the over-reliance on bed alarms and allow for implementation of strategies aimed to mitigate modifiable risk factors leading to falls.
AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the patient's perspective of fall prevention in an acute care setting to aid in the design of patient centered strategies. BACKGROUND: Falls are one of the most common adverse events in hospitals and can lead to preventable patient harm, increased length of stay, and increased healthcare costs. There is a need to understand fall risk and prevention from the patients' perspectives; however, research in this area is limited. METHODS: To understand the patient perspective, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve patients at an academic healthcare center. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis revealed three major themes: (1) how I see myself, (2) how I see the interventions; and (3) how I see us. The theme "How I see myself" describes patients' beliefs of their own fall risk and includes the sub-themes of awareness, acceptance/rejection, implications, emotions, and personal plan. Interventions, such as fall alarms, are illustrated in the theme "How I see the interventions" and includes the subthemes what I see and hear and usefulness of equipment. Finally, "How I see us" describes barriers to participating in the fall prevention plan. CONCLUSIONS: Most fall prevention programs favor clinician-led plan development and implementation. Patient fall assessments needs to shift from being clinician-centric to patient-centric. Nurses must develop relationships with patients to facilitate understanding of their needs. Developing these truly patient-centered programs may reduce the over-reliance on bed alarms and allow for implementation of strategies aimed to mitigate modifiable risk factors leading to falls.
Authors: Rebecca Randell; Judy M Wright; Natasha Alvarado; Frances Healey; Dawn Dowding; Heather Smith; Nick Hardiker; Peter Gardner; Sue Ward; Chris Todd; Hadar Zaman; Lynn McVey; Christopher James Davey; David Woodcock Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-09-02 Impact factor: 2.692