Impact of Bed Alarm Utilization on Reducing Patient Fall Injuries

Purpose:
To effectively decrease patient fall injuries. An incline in patient fall injuries led to an aggregate RCA which revealed the need for consistent nursing interventions, specifically bed alarms for high-risk patients. Using PDCA with a bed alarm focus, the patient fall injury rate decreased by 50%.

Significance:
Prevention & reduction of patient injuries is part of our safe culture as reflected in the 5 keys: Patient Loyalty -fall awareness Employee Pride -ownership Physician Engagement -improved outcomes Fiscal Responsibility -reduction in costs associated with HAC Community Awareness -public data

Strategy and Implementation:
The Falls Prevention Team is the oversight body for the National Patient Safety Goal on reducing the risk of injury secondary to falls. This team is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the falls prevention/reduction progam and implemented a multi-faceted action plan in response to fall injuries. An assessment of existing bed alarms revealed the need for additional bed alarm resources. A staff education program that inclued a skills lab was launched. Policy was revised mandating bed alarm usage. During our "Check" phase (PDCA), unannounced observations were used to evaluate actual bed alarm use. Gaps in performance identified by supervisors were used as teachable moments.

Evaluation:
50% reduction in fall rate injury resulted from this intervention. Measures of success were evaluated through unannounced bed alarm usage observations, reported fall events, and comparison with NDNQI benchmarks.

Implications for Practice:
Using current risk assessments, patients are effectively identified as high-risk for falls. Bed alarm use on high risk patients can decrease injury. Teaching alarm safety is part of patient/family engagement in care. Further study is needed to evaluate other interventions such as chair alarms.