In 2012, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority provided hospitals participating in the Pennsylvania Hospital Engagement Network Falls Reduction and Prevention Collaboration with two tools to evaluate their falls prevention programs: an annual self-assessment survey and a quarterly process measures audit. Hospitals that completed the survey in 2012 and 2013 reported an increase in full implementation for 16 of 17 categories of falls prevention best practices. Comparison of 2012 survey responses to audit results revealed a gap between levels of full implementation of best practices reported on the survey and compliance with falls prevention practices observed during the audit process. Analysis of 2013 data shows a decrease in this gap and improved compliance with falls prevention practices. Rates of falls with harm decreased for hospitals that completed the self-assessment survey in 2012 and 2013 in addition to all quarterly audits. Hospitals participating in the collaboration and utilizing these tools have been able to evaluate their current falls prevention programs, identify and implement evidence-based practices missing or in need of improvement, monitor staff compliance with falls prevention practices, and decrease rates of falls with harm.
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