Purpose: To validate the Humpty Dumpty Falls© Scale in assessing falls in the pediatric population.

Methodology: The Humpty Dumpty Falls© Scale was created from historical falls reporting data, process improvement data and review of falls. The falls safety protocol for low risk and high risk patients was developed from identified categories: Age, Gender, Diagnosis, Environmental Factors, Response to Surgery/Sedation/Anesthesia and Medication Usage.

Results: A review of 71 charts of those pediatric patients who fell during 2005 were compared to a control group of 71 charts who did not fall. The results indicated that most falls occurred in children under age 3 followed by 12 years and older with a neurological diagnosis. As compared to 2-1 ratio for males to females in the 2000 data these results indicate a trend toward more falls in females.

Conclusions: The Humpty Dumpty Falls© scale was validated (at-risk score of 12 and above) with dx of seizure the #1 predictor, dehydration/vomiting 2^nd and asthma 3^rd.  The rate of falls was decreased by 2328% after implementation. Nursing Implications: Implementing a patient falls safety protocol identifies patients’ at-risk-for falls thus reducing incidences while addressing JCAHO Patient Safety Goals.