Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service II (Projects aiming to enhance clinical safety and outcomes, clinical governance / risk management)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service III (Projects aiming at quality service to patients and their carers)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Hau CY (1), Hui KH (1), Lai MC (1), Lau KT (1), Lee PK (1), Lee CY (1), Lee SY (1), Tam HY (1), Tsang HC (1), To YL (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, North District Hospital
Introduction :
Falls represent a prevalent concern in physiotherapy services, especially during exercise training. Upon reviewing the incident from 2020 to 2022, 7 out of 12 were related to fall injury, while 4 out of them occurred inside physiotherapy department. Despite controlling human factors, identifying environmental threats and making modifications are also essential for mitigating potential fall risks.
Objectives :
To identify potential fall risks and establish a safe and sustainable clinical environment for physiotherapy practice.
Methodology :
During the first 6 months of 2023, the clinical area of the physiotherapy department was undergone thorough inspection, encompassing a review of daily practices. Previous fall incidents of physiotherapy practice were analyzed and 2 major extrinsic contributors to falls were identified:
I) Misuse of equipment without supervision Signages of “Use under therapist supervision” were posted on staircases and training machines. Chains were barred against the entrance of staircases. “Staff only” labels were introduced on swivel chairs. Simple operating instructions were attached to some equipment for reference.
II) Obstacles in clinical environment Equipment near the walking path was relocated. Minor improvement works were done with the Hospital Facility Management Division to better organize cables from computers and machines.
Enhancement measures on patient handling and departmental modifications was disseminated to all staff afterwards.
Effectiveness and sustainability of the above measures were evaluated by interviews conducted among physiotherapy staff at third quarter of 2023. Clinical incidents in the department were reviewed in the same period of time.
Result & Outcome :
Result:
No injury or fall incident was related to these extrinsic factors after the modification.
Nine months after the implementation of the above measures, there were 70%, 80%, and 90% reductions in unauthorized use of training machines, swivel chairs, and staircases respectively. With staff cooperation, modification works of equipment relocation and cable organization have been maintained in this period.
Conclusion:
Appropriate use and rearrangement of equipment in the physiotherapy department have effectively and sustainably reduced fall risks.
