National Award- Preventing Falls

 

Saint Elizabeth Home Care wins NATIONAL ATTENTION for innovative program to help prevent falls in elderly!
 
The Falls Free Coalition of the National Council on Aging [NCOA] has identified for national recognition 10 creative programs and practices across the national that are outstanding in assessing and preventing falls in our elderly citizens. One of those 10 is right here in Lincoln at the Saint Elizabeth Home Care Services!

NOAC recognized these ten programs at the joint annual conference of the American Society on Aging and National Council on Aging in March of 2007. They recognize the seriousness of preventing falls in the elderly, reporting that in 2003, falls resulted in 13,700 deaths, 460,000 hospitalizations and over 1.3 million emergency room visits. In addition to the pain and suffering, fall-related injuries medical costs were over $19 Billion in 2000. “Falls are not a normal part of aging and there are many risks that can be addressed that will reduce the number of falls in older adults,” said James Firman, NCOA president and CEO.
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We are extremely pleased to be recognized nationally for our program.
Falls are a major cause of injury to home care patients nationwide.
The dedicated nurses and therapists working together at Saint Elizabeth Home Care
have been able to achieve their remarkable outcomes.
We have also been able to contribute to an improved quality of life for our patients.
While national recognition for our achievements is rewarding,
we are even more pleased with the satisfaction and safety of the patients and families we serve.
---Phyllis Rizzo, Home Care Services director
--Our Program--
Saint Elizabeth Home Care achieves 43% Fewer Patient Falls

This began in 2003 with a risk assessment for preventing falls. The Saint Elizabeth Home Care team chose a fall assessment tool to assess each new patient, and re-assess them each year thereafter. Later, this tool became a part of their official computerized admission form.

In 2006, a quality improvement team devised an electronic” Fall Form,” which is used to track, report, count, and review patient falls.

Education is important.
• Patients themselves are educated on ways to reduce falls in their home and other home safety information.
• All therapists receive continuing education on methods of assessing for and reducing falls.
• Continuing education is also provided for Home Health Aides.
• Beyond our own agency, Saint Elizabeth Home Care therapists have conducted community education on reduction of fall risk.

Evaluation and Treatment
Patients with high fall risk are identified and they receive therapy evaluation and treatment from a Physical Therapist and/or Occupational Therapist. Meanwhile, patients who could benefit from home modifications, including ramps, receive referrals to appropriate community agencies.

Documentation
The Saint Elizabeth Home Care team documents all patient falls using their “Fall Form,” which is also faxed to the patient’s physician, along with a list of current medications, pertinent assessments, and requests for additional services as appropriate. The patient’s Home Care nurse or therapist is notified of the fall, if it was someone else who reported the fall.

All patient falls are tracked and sorted into categories by the severity of injury, if any. Falls are also reported monthly to the medical center. The Safety Team reviews the Fall Forms quarterly where they identify successes to be celebrated or challenges to be addressed. Since 2003, the Home Care team has achieved a 43% reduction in emergent care for injuries caused by falls or accidents in the home.

Successful Tips for Preveting Falls-click here
if you or a family member can benefit from these proven tips for prevenitng falls, please use them and send them to othrs.