Patient falls prevention

What you can do

• Be aware that you may need more assistance than usual to move around.
• Use the call bell to ask for assistance when you need to move.
• Get to know the layout of your hospital room.
• Keep glasses and walking aids within easy reach.
• Let us know if you feel unsteady, unbalanced or notice changes in the way you usually move.

What St John of God Health Care does

• We work with our patients to reduce their risk of falling in hospital.
• We assess your risk of falling and create a plan to prevent falls.
• We have policies and procedures to reduce the risk of patient falls.
• We train our caregivers to help reduce patient falls.
• We report and monitor falls so we can reduce similar incidents in the future.

Often, patients do not want to ask nurses for help because they are busy people. You may also feel less in control when you are in hospital.

Our caregivers are always here to help.

Research shows that recovery can be quicker and more effective when you allow hospital staff to help you.

Always ask for help if you need it. Use your call bell for help getting out of bed, out of a chair, going to the bathroom or moving around.

Visit the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) website for more information on how you can prevent falls.

• Clinical Excellence Commission falls prevention resources

Hawkesbury District Health Service's patient falls data

About Hawkesbury District Health Service's patient falls data

We are using targeted initiatives to prevent and reduce patient falls at Hawkesbury District Health Service.

This includes:

• caregiver workshops on the link between delirium and the risk of falls.
• introducing the 4AT delirium screening tool when assessing patients to gauge their focus, alertness and cognition.
• implementing falls specific ‘Six Minute Intensive Training’ (SMIT) at team meetings.
• ensuring individual patient management plans are completed, updated and patient centred.
• additional companion nursing and post-fall huddles.