The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) is urging NHS organisations across England and Wales to follow guidelines aimed at reducing patient falls.
The reminder, which coincided with National Falls Awareness Week, followed the publication of new data showing that 283,438 slips, trips and falls were reported to the NPSA between October 2008 and September 2009. The “How to guide for reducing harm from falls” should be used by NHS staff to minimise the risk of patient falls. The guidance recommends NHS organisations to:
• Create a strategic falls prevention team.
• Set a local target for reducing harm from falls.
• Target their efforts on the times and places patients are most vulnerable to falling.
• Train and develop staff in falls prevention.
• Provide in-depth falls prevention plans for their most vulnerable patients.
• Get the basics right for all patients.
For more information, visit www.patientsafetyfirst.nhs.uk
