Reducing harm from falls

Discusses the serious consequences of falls, and the challenges and practical considerations involved in reducing the risk of falling and the rate of falls. Explores the choice of an adaptive approach taken by the Health Quality & Safety Commission in its three-year programme to reduce harm from falls, initially to run 2013-2015. Demonstrates how a targeted measurement framework and national action has led to a nationwide statistically significant reduction in fractured neck of femur (hip fracture) and associated costs resulting from in-hospital falls. Gives a call to arms to the disparate health practitioners and services across all settings for individualised responses to prevent falls one patient at a time, and for leadership responses that promote an integrated approach to falls in older people Source: National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, licensed by the Department of Internal Affairs for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand Licence.