Salisbury District Hospital patient fall numbers halved
They'd targeted a reduction of 30% in three years
Salisbury District Hospital has reduced the number of patients suffering falls in the hospital to be above the national average.
They've beaten expectations and delivered the results a year ahead of schedule, reducing the figure by a whopping 54%.
Falls in hospital are one of the most commonly reported adverse events that can cause injury across the country and not only add to the patients pain and discomfort, but can require a longer stay in hospital and further treatment, including surgery.
It's estimated that a fractured thigh bone as a result of a fall costs £25,000 for the increased hospital stay and surgery alone.
And while it's impossible to totally eliminate the possibility of a fall, staff can do plenty in terms of prevention and reducing the risk for patients most likely to fall.
Patient falls are measured in the number of bed days per thousand. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Salisbury District Hospital had 10.2 falls per 1000 bed days, but has reduced that to 5.5 falls per 1000 bed days as of October 2023.
The national average is 6.7 falls per 1000 bed days.
Through a combination of comprehensive training, improved processes and establishing a multi-professional falls prevention group, our hospital has seen consistent improvements and smash the target of a 30% reduction in three years.
Angie Ansell, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, said: “Our aim is for our patients to be as safe as possible while in our care. By collectively focusing our efforts to prevent patients from falling, we are improving their overall care and experience, and reducing their length of stay. This is good for the patient and good for the hospital.”
Hospital staff are still monitoring patient falls as well as other key metrics of patient safety and wellbeing, while taking more steps to further reduce falls.