Reducing patient falls

One of the six Patient Safety priorities is to reduce patient falls. The set target is to reduce harm caused by falls by 10 per cent.

From June to October 2009, a Falls Minimisation project was completed. It found that the most significant impact is to patients and their families aswell as being a significant risk to the DHB's finances and reputation. 

It was agreed that Waikato DHB could improve in two areas:

1. Increase compliance with the organisation Falls Assessment and Management Protocol.
   
   
2. Improve environmental factors in the reduction of falls including ultra-low beds, implementing brake castors, grip sox, and sensor mats amongst other products.

Falls minimisation action plan

How are we doing?

This is the Waikato DHB’s latest update on the number of falls being reported: