AHRQ Introduces Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Training Curriculum

A new program introduced by the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality provides training aimed at helping hospitals prevent patient falls. The agency’s Fall Prevention in Hospitals Training Program is an evidence-based curriculum designed for hospital quality improvement staff, patient safety officers and other staff committed to reducing falls through implementation of a structured fall prevention initiative based on quality improvement principles.

Ten hospitals, which implemented the program, reported a 14 percent decrease in the average number of falls and a 20 percent decrease in falls-with-injury during the one-year period post implementation. In addition, rehabilitation and geriatric/psychiatric units reported even greater reduction rates for falls.

For more information about the falls prevention training program and to access the implementation guide, click here.