Governance and systems for preventing falls Overview of what is required Suggested approach Examples of evidence making amendments to local policies, Memos, newsletters or other communication material provided to the workforce on procedures and/or protocols or making performance of the falls management system recommendations to the overarching health and improvement strategies. service organisation for policies that sit at that level A quality improvement plan in line with that undertaking local evaluation, or participating includes actions to address identified falls issues. in external evaluations of the impact of quality improvement activities. Examples of improvement activities that have been implemented and evaluated. 10.3 Undertaking quality improvement activities to address safety risks and ensure the effectiveness of the falls prevention system 10.3.1 Quality improvement activities are undertaken to prevent falls and minimise patient harm This action relates to the overarching quality Review information from the risk A risk register in line with that includes actions organisation’s register, incident reporting system and other improvement approach that is needed to prevent to address identified falls risks. performance audits to identify areas of falls, reduce the harm from falls and improve falls A quality improvement plan in line with that improvement for the falls management system. management. includes actions to address issues identified. Where services are provided in home settings, Your community health service should use a Completed environmental assessment of your consider the appropriateness of conducting continuous quality improvement methodology to community health service. environmental reviews and recommendations implement falls prevention strategies (see ). Evidence of completed home environment for modifications. assessments and recommendations for Activities undertaken as part of , , and can be Review the physical environment of your modifications according to falls risk. used to demonstrate compliance with this action. community health service and make Relevant documentation from committees and modifications, where possible, to reduce the risk other meetings where falls reduction strategies of falls. are discussed and agreed. Participate in quality improvement activities that Examples of improvement activities that have are conducted by the overarching health service been implemented and evaluated. organisation, where relevant. Reports on the impact of falls reduction When conducting quality improvement activities strategies and quality improvement activities. locally, use a standardised quality improvement Memos, newsletters or other communication methodology to bring about change such as a materials provided to the workforce on the falls Plan–Do–Study–Act cycle (see ). management system.
Governance and systems for preventing falls Overview of what is required Suggested approach Examples of evidence making amendments to local policies, procedures and/or protocols or making recommendations to the overarching health service organisation for policies that sit at that level undertaking local evaluation, or participating in external evaluations of the impact of quality improvement activities. Memos, newsletters or other communication material provided to the workforce on performance of the falls management system and improvement strategies. A quality improvement plan in line with that includes actions to address identified falls issues. Examples of improvement activities that have been implemented and evaluated. 10.3 Undertaking quality improvement activities to address safety risks and ensure the effectiveness of the falls prevention system 10.3.1 Quality improvement activities are undertaken to prevent falls and minimise patient harm This action relates to the overarching quality improvement approach that is needed to prevent falls, reduce the harm from falls and improve falls management. Your community health service should use a continuous quality improvement methodology to implement falls prevention strategies (see ). Activities undertaken as part of , , and can be used to demonstrate compliance with this action. Review information from the organisation’s risk register, incident reporting system and other performance audits to identify areas of improvement for the falls management system. Where services are provided in home settings, consider the appropriateness of conducting environmental reviews and recommendations for modifications. Review the physical environment of your community health service and make modifications, where possible, to reduce the risk of falls. Participate in quality improvement activities that are conducted by the overarching health service organisation, where relevant. When conducting quality improvement activities locally, use a standardised quality improvement methodology to bring about change such as a Plan–Do–Study–Act cycle (see ). A risk register in line with that includes actions to address identified falls risks. A quality improvement plan in line with that includes actions to address issues identified. Completed environmental assessment of your community health service. Evidence of completed home environment assessments and recommendations for modifications according to falls risk. Relevant documentation from committees and other meetings where falls reduction strategies are discussed and agreed. Examples of improvement activities that have been implemented and evaluated. Reports on the impact of falls reduction strategies and quality improvement activities. Memos, newsletters or other communication materials provided to the workforce on the falls management system.
Guide-to-the-NSQHS-Standards-for-community-health-services-February-2016.docx