Pump Up The Volume

Background: Lying and standing blood pressure (L/S BP) assessment is essential for detecting orthostatic hypotension (OH) and preventing falls in rehabilitation wards. staff management of postural drops remained largely medical, with limited patient engagement.
 

Aim: To develop and implement a care bundle that improves staff understanding, patient involvement, and proactive management of OH.
 

Methods: Using quality improvement methodology and PDSA cycles, baseline compliance and staff knowledge were assessed via questionnaires and notes review. Interventions included staff education through posters, provision of a dedicated L/S BP kit, and teaching of patient exercises. Initial trials of existing British Geriatric Society leaflets revealed limited utility; co-design with patients led to a simplified exercise leaflet and use of a music cue (“Pump Up the Volume”) to enhance engagement.
 

Results: Staff demonstrated strong uptake of educational materials, and patients actively participated in exercise routines as they started their day. Preliminary ward data suggest a reduction in falls since implementation, though confounding factors remain. 
 

Conclusion: This project introduces a novel, multidisciplinary care bundle that embeds L/S BP management into rehabilitation practice. By combining staff education, patient co-design, and innovative engagement strategies, the intervention shows promise in improving safety and reducing falls. The presentation will share methodology, early outcomes, and practical tools for replication across similar settings across the rest of the Trust.