Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) was recently recognized for a successful fall prevention program. The quality improvement initiative began in 2017 as a research project; analyzing previous falls in Manning and other facilities and determining ways they could have been prevented. Based on what was learned, the hospital developed, approved and executed new procedures, expanded standardized fall risk assessments and provided thorough staff education and increased awareness of fall risk factors throughout the facility. For this, they received “best practices” recognition for celebrating 934 patient days without a fall. “We really feel the biggest factor that has helped us reach this milestone is the implementation of our No-Pass Zone policy,” says Chief Nursing Officer, Michelle Anderson. “This means none of our staff, regardless of their position, pass a patient room with a call light or fall alarm going off. Our entire staff has been educated on this process and understands the need to enter the room and stay with patients until a clinical staff member can assist.” Anderson adds that in the hospital setting, any of the post-surgical patients, individuals with confusion or someone who recently had a medication change are at higher risk of falling.
