Falls Management

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Falls Management
Glynis Peat
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National Service Framework for Older People
(2001)
Set national standards and service models of care
across health and social services for older
people.
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Standard 6 - Falls
Aim To reduce the number of falls which result
in serious injury and ensure effective treatment
and rehabilitation of those who have fallen.
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Background

• Major cause of injury leading to death or
  hospital admission gt 65 years
• 1/3 of people 65 years and over and ½ 85 years
  and over will fall at least once
• a year.
• 15,000 older people may fall across South Tees
  each year
• Psychological consequences - fear of falling,
  disability and loss of independence,
• depression, anxiety, poor rehabilitation
  prospects, prolonged hospital stays.
• Fatality every 5 hours.

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In-patient Falls 2005/6
Total - 1234
833 Insignificant 372 Minor 24 Moderate
3 Major 2 Catastrophic
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Falls Policy

• Developed in collaboration with Middlesbrough
  and Langbaurgh PCTs and
• Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Social
  Services.
• For use by all staff who have contact with older
  people across South Tees.
• Offers guidance on the effective assessment of
  an individuals risk factors
• for falling and appropriate interventions.
• Referral pathways dedicated falls team.

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Assessment Tools
Outpatient AE department, minor injury units,
wardens, ambulance staff Inpatient Trust,
community hospitals, nursing homes
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Implementation

• A competency based training framework, workbook
  and resource file and patient
  information has been developed.
• Falls awareness training is available.
• Link nurses