Building on the RCP FallSafe care bundles: Is observation and review the key to reducing inpatient falls? The Northumbria experience 2013–2020

摘要

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) FallSafe care bundles are the recommended foundation for inpatient falls prevention in the UK. Yet there is a paucity of data to support its widespread use and the reductions in falls demonstrated in the original pilot and in subsequent small studies have not yet been reproduced in larger patient groups. Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHCFT) has seen a significant reduction in falls, falls per 1,000 bed days and harm from falls between 2013–2020 when combining the RCP FallSafe care bundles with a supportive observation policy (SOP) related to falls prevention. Highlighting the potential cost savings (∼£5.3 million over a 3-year period) has supported the growth and development of the NHCFT inpatient falls prevention service and the implementation of the SOP.