Continuous Improvement of Quality Management in the Fall Prevention Process for Inpatients: a Historically Controlled Study
Abstract Background: Falls are one of the most common adverse nursing events and sensitive indicators to measure nursing quality. The interventions for fall prevention are important; however, monitoring tools for the implementation are scarce.Methods: To explore the effects of monitoring the fall prevention process in reducing inpatients’ falls. Historically controlled trial and retrospective analysis. Explore and refer to the "structure-process-result" quality evaluation model. The design included assessment of fall risks, knowledge of prevention, participation of patients and their families, environment and management. The monitoring form for the implementation of fall prevention measures was used to monitor the effect and reduce the incidence rate of falls. Results: The incidence rate of falls among inpatients with different risk levels was compared and analyzed before monitoring (control group) and 12 months, 24 months, 36 months later after monitoring. The trend chi-square results showed that the incidence rate of falls decreased from 0.199‰ to 0.101‰, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The probability of falls 12 months and 36 months later after intervention was 0.84 times and 0.51 times that of control group. The proportion of patients at high risk of falls had a decreasing trend.Conclusions: After the use of the monitoring form, the incidence rate of falls reduces, nurses' professional quality and personal ability are improved, the awareness of patients and family members participating in patient’s safety is strengthened, the environmental safety management is strengthened and the hardware facility is improved.