Quality improvement in action: a falls prevention and management program.

A departmental program for falls prevention and management, initiated in 1987, and arising out of the awareness of the economic, physical, and psychological effects of falls in hospitalized patients, has been described. Given the results outlined, there is no doubt that the efforts applied in the area of falls prevention have been extremely worthwhile in affecting major quality improvements in patient care. The benefits of the falls prevention program include a reduction in the incidence of falls as well as an increased awareness by staff, patients, and families of the importance of monitoring patients at risk for falls.