Implementation guide for preventing falls and harm from falls in older people

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Excerpt: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) recognises that falls and fall-related injuries are a significant problem in Australian hospitals, residential aged care facilities (RACFs), and the general Australian community, due to the ageing population, the incidence of falls, and the negative impacts of falls for both individuals and organisations.

As a result, ACSQHC has developed three nationally consistent, evidence-based guidelines that focus on older people in hospital, RACF and community care settings:

• Preventing Falls and Harm From Falls in Older People: Best Practice Guidelines for Australian Hospitals 2009
• Preventing Falls and Harm From Falls in Older People: Best Practice Guidelines for Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities 2009
• Preventing Falls and Harm From Falls in Older People: Best Practice Guidelines for Australian Community Care 2009.

The guidelines are collectively referred to as the Falls Guidelines and are designed to inform clinical practice related to preventing falls and injuries from falls.

This implementation guide is designed for hospitals and RACFs, and is based on the implementation guide developed for the 2005 Falls Guidelines. National consultation in 2008 indicated that the original implementation guide was valued, the methodology on which it was based remained current, and the format and content should be retained. Consultation on the original implementation guide involved consumers, health care professionals and managers of hospitals and RACFs, other key stakeholders, and national peak bodies throughout metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia.