The objectives for this presentation are two-fold.  First, participants will describe The Leaper Program.  Second, participants will explain how a Nursing Clinical Outcomes & Research Council (NCO&R) utilizes the NDNQI data to evaluate and improve patient outcomes related to patient falls.

            This presentation provides relevant and current knowledge by depicting how this hospital utilizes the NDNQI data for total falls per 1,000 patient days to improve the quality of patient care.  This information is relevant because Fall Prevention has been identified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) as a National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) for 2007.  This process is evaluated and updated, as recommended by JCAHO, by the NCO&R Council. The most current quarterly NDNQI data is utilized, supplemented by monthly hospital fall rate data obtained from staff generated reports.  The NCO&R Council is comprised of staff nurses from patient care areas and a leadership dyad of a nurse manager and clinical nurse educator. 

            This presentation is multi-faceted.  A description of this patient safety initiative, including the Leaper Frogs used to identify patients at risk for falling, will be displayed. The data, as it is utilized by the NCOR&R Council, will be illustrated.  Downward trends in the most current NDNQI data for total falls per 1,000 patient days and illustration of how this organization compares to the mean will be included.  For example, the NDNQI data on one patient-care area indicates that the rate of patient falls per 1,000 days has decreased from 7.19 to 1.99 over six months (two quarters).  Over the same time frame, the overall fall rate per 1,000 patient days has declined from 3.74 to 2.56. In addition, how this program meets the NPSG for fall prevention will be illustrated.  A description regarding how the program evolved since its induction nearly one year ago, including education and program modifications and the Council’s future plans for this program will also be described.   

            Implications for utilization of a hospital wide identification system to alert staff about patients at risk for falls are realistic and practical for healthcare organizations.  Unique, eye-catching initiatives may help increase awareness when a patient is at risk for fall.  Whether The Leaper Program helps to identify when a patient is at risk for getting up unattended, is unsteady on their feet, experiences weakness when ambulating or has a past history of falling, utilizing a strategy such as this is one step toward meeting this National Patient Safety Goal.