Fall Risk Program for Oncology Inpatients: Addition of the "traffic Light" Fall Risk Assessment Tool
Journal
Journal of Nursing Care Quality
Journal Volume
34
Journal Issue
2
Pages
139
Date Issued
2019-04-01
Author(s)
Abstract
© 2019 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All Rights Reserved. Background: The incidence of falls on inpatient oncology units indicated the need for quality improvement. This project aimed to reduce falls by implementing a fall reduction plan including the "Traffic Light" Fall Risk Assessment Tool (TL-FRAT). Local Problem: We retrospectively reviewed the oncology unit fall data from January 2013 to September 2014 and found that the average fall incidence was high. Methods: The project used a program evaluation design, and the process was guided by Kotter's 8-step change model. Interventions: We implemented the TL-FRAT to classify oncology inpatients at a high risk of falling in advance. Results: The average fall incidence and falls with injury during the project were reduced. Conclusions: Adding the TL-FRAT to the fall protocol on the units effectively reduced the incidence of falls related to impaired mobility. The TL-FRAT can improve nurses' sensitivity to falls related to impaired mobility and, subsequently, guide corresponding fall prevention strategies.
Subjects
accidental falls | fall risk assessment | oncology patients | quality improvement
SDGs
Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
Type
journal article