Authors (including presenting author) :
TSUI YC(1), TANG WH(1), CHUN TN(1), LAW KY(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Medicine & Geriatric Unit, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, (2) Central Nursing Division, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital
Introduction :
Falls are leading cause of injury and accidental death in adults over 65 years (WHO 2018). Attributing factors such as poor eyesight, improper footwear, unfamiliar surroundings and cumbersome furniture all can cause a person to accidentally fall, causing serious injury and even death. Hence, fall prevention strategies should be comprehensive and multifaceted. Education on individuals and communities to build risk awareness is one of the core elements of fall prevention strategies (WHO 2018). To recognize this critical issue, OLMH has declared 9 September to 13 September 2019 as Fall Prevention Awareness Week.
Objectives :
Patients and relatives agree the falls is preventable and the education talks can enhance their awareness on fall prevention.
Methodology :
During the Fall Prevention Awareness Week, OLMH had conducted 6 sessions of education talk to relatives and patients on fall prevention. The education content is based on the following training materials: 1.KCC Patient Education Booklet on Fall Prevention including Physical checkup for eyesight and proper footwear; A Home Safety Checklist; Check You Risk for Fall, and Exercise & Physical Activity. 2.Video on Fall Prevention in Hospital Setting produced by OLMH which including how to wear trousers, bathing, using walking aids, etc.. On-going education: daily fall prevention video would be displayed in clinical wards during visiting hours, and education talks would be provided to those patients and relatives with MORSE FALL SCALE is Moderate or High risk.
Result & Outcome :
A total 6 sessions of education talk were conducted during the Fall Awareness Week with a total 82 attendances. Among these 82 attendances, 35 attendances were patients while 47 attendances were relatives. 66 attendances (80.4%) agreed the education talk was useful and enhanced their awareness on fall prevention.
