Reducing falls and fall-related injuries in mental health: a 1-year multihospital falls collaborative

Abstract

Despite much research on falls occurring on medical-surgical units and in long-term care settings, falls on inpatient psychiatry units are understudied. On the basis of fall injury program characteristics across multiple inpatient psychiatry units, we developed and implemented an operational strategic plan to address each falls prevention program element and enhance program infrastructure and capacity. Expert faculty provided lectures, coaching, and mentoring through biweekly conference calls and collaborative e-mail exchange. Findings support continued efforts to integrate measures to reduce serious fall-related injuries.