Credit Hours: 5

Introduction of the module

Patient safety is an important component of quality care in the hospital. One of the ways in which patient safety is compromised in hospitals is through patient falls. In 2004, 424,000 fall-related deaths were reported globally of which one-fifth of them took place in India. The prevalence of falls in India, above the age of 60 years is reported to range from 14%–53%. Falls have been identified as the second leading cause of unintentional injury morbidity. The consequence of fall can either lead into non-traumatic or traumatic injuries which may vary from no injuries, bruises, and lacerations to dislocations, fractures, and head injuries and in some cases, it may even be fatal. To ensure the safety of the patients, Joint Commission International (JCI) has stated the prevention of fall as the sixth International Patient Safety Goal (IPSG 6). Patient safety should focus on preventing harms and improving positive outcomes in mortality and morbidity rate. This module deals with the assessment and prevention of falls among patients in the hospital

Objectives:

At the end of the module the learner will be able to:

• Identify the patients who are at risk for fall
• Categorize the patient based on the score.

Instructor: Ms. Bhawana Sharma, Lecturer in Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Nursing Mullana, Ambala.

Facility: Maharishi Markandeshwar Deemed to be University (MMU), Mullana, Ambala.