Aim: To achieve a decrease in falls rate at a large aged residential care provider to bring the falls rate to consistently below the target of 11 falls per 1000 Occupied Bed Days.
Methods: A structured assessment was developed for use post fall events to aid reviewing all relevant clinical information to ensure residents risk of a future falls is decreased. Further development of a quality improvement process to involve a review of all system factors across both the clinical and operational space.
Results: The baseline rate was 12 falls per 1000 OBD in quarter two 2024. Over the first half of 2024 a structured review process was implemented to ensure that all residents were receiving a standardised and individualised falls risk assessment post fall based on the FRAT (Falls Risk Assessment Tool) and informed by the HQSC (Health Quality and Safety Commission) falls risk assessment. This process was expanded to include a structured review of the operational and environmental factors at a facility level including staffing, call bell reporting and equipment suitability and availability. This resulted in a sustained decrease in internally reported falls: the quarter two 2025 result 25% lower at 8.9 per 1000 OBDs.
Conclusion: A structured process that includes both clinical and operational teams reviewing the individual and the environmental operational risk factors that contribute to falls can result in a strong positive impact decreasing falls rates in aged residential care.