Planning implementation of patient falls preventive education in hospitals: gaining the consumer perspective

Introduction: Falls in hospital can be reduced through education of patients and staff. However, limited evidence exists on how staff can systematically implement patient falls prevention education. Planning implementation with hospital staff may enhance their acceptance, engagement, and delivery of falls education to patients. This study aimed to design an implementation plan with hospital staff to guide the successful delivery of patient falls education.
Method: Three participatory workshops using a World Café methodology were conducted in hospitals in Western Australia and Victoria. Staff on participating wards received information about a patient falls education program called “Safe Recovery” and discussed strategies for implementation. Conversation topics were: i) staff education and training needed to enable patient falls education delivery, ii) ward level support required, and iii) organisational requirements. Field notes were analysed using inductive content analysis.
Results: Hospital staff (n=62; nursing 67.7%; allied health 29.0%; other 3.2%) participated. Participants emphasised the need for accessible, flexible, and multimodal Safe Recovery Program training to optimise staff engagement. They recommended establishing clear implementation protocols, consistent communication between staff, patients, and families, and well-defined roles and responsibilities. Orientation resources, personalised patient handouts and handover discussion were viewed as key enablers for initiating program delivery. Clear communication via handovers, care plans, ward systems and multidisciplinary teams was emphasised as fundamental to enablement, supported by regular falls champion attendance to develop consistent processes and identify barriers. Leadership support and accountability at organisational levels were viewed as essential for sustaining implementation.
Participants concurred that it was important to have a unified vision to promote the Safe Recovery Program across wards.
Conclusion: Engaging with hospital staff facilitated the development of a shared vision and structured implementation plan to deliver a patient falls prevention education program on hospital wards.