April ‘Falls’ Day at MidCentral Health
25/03/2011
| Falls Prevention
MidCentral Health is holding an April Falls Day on Friday 1 April 2011, to raise awareness about patient falls, and how they can be reduced.
While only a small number of falls cause serious injury, falls can make people lose confidence in walking, which may mean they stay longer in hospital.
Reducing patients’ risk of falling while in hospital is a high priority for MidCentral Health. Patients are assessed for their risk of falls, when they are admitted to MidCentral Health and this is a great mechanism to determine what level of support and assistance they require.
Everyone has a role to play in helping to reduce the risk of falls, including patients, staff, families and friends.
The Falls Action Group at MidCentral Health meets regularly, to determine actions to reduce falls and raise awareness about prevention strategies. One such strategy is April Falls Day.
Group members will be at stations set up around Palmerston North Hospital, including the main foyer of the hospital, providing information for patients and staff about falls prevention. Representatives from ACC, Active Rehab and St John will also be involved.
MidCentral Health has been using a tool called Invisibeam in the prevention of falls, which is working well, and assisting with the reduction in falls for patients. The tool has precise invisible infrared beams which set off an alarm when a patient attempts to exit from a bed or chair.
MidCentral Health has also been working with ACC to distribute Vitamin D supplements to residential care facilities in our district.
MidCentral DHB Pharmacy Advisor, Andrew Orange, said: “Vitamin D contributes to stronger muscles and through increasing the Vitamin D intake of our retirement community residents we are hoping to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates associated with falls, subsequent fractures and their long term impacts. Through this initiative we are also hoping to maintain older people’s independence.”
Contact: Communications Unit (06) 350-8945