Critical Evaluation: Fall Incidence at Hazelwood Care Home, Unit 18

This report presents an action research study conducted at Hazelwood Care Home, critically evaluating the incidence of falls as a safeguarding issue. The study begins with an introduction outlining the background, research aim, and objectives, followed by a comprehensive literature review that explores the incidence of falls, associated risk factors, and challenges faced by healthcare practitioners in preventing falls. The research methodology section details the qualitative research approach, interpretivism philosophy, and descriptive research design used to gather data from 10 healthcare practitioners through random probabilistic sampling. The report then presents the findings of the data analysis, discussing the identified themes and patterns related to fall incidence. The discussion section analyzes the findings in relation to the literature review and highlights the key issues and insights. Finally, the report concludes with recommendations for reducing fall incidence and improving patient safety, alongside a reflection on the research process and ethical considerations.

Unit 18 Innovation and
Improvement through Action
Research

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC: “To critically evaluate the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue. A study on
Hazelwood Care Home.”.................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background.................................................................................................................................1
Research aim and Objectives......................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................4
TIMELINE.......................................................................................................................................5
RESEARCH PROJECT...................................................................................................................6
TOPIC: “To critically evaluate the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue. A study on
Hazelwood Care Home.”.................................................................................................................6
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................6
Background.................................................................................................................................6
Research aim and Objectives......................................................................................................6
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................7
DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS..............................................................................................9
DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................18
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.............................................................................20
Conclusion................................................................................................................................20
Recommendation......................................................................................................................20
Reflection.......................................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................24

TOPIC: “To critically evaluate the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue. A
study on Hazelwood Care Home.”
INTRODUCTION
Background
Health care practitioners tends to largely contribute towards safeguarding the safety and
health of the various service users within the care home (Allan and et.al., 2019). An incidence of
fall among the patient in turn are considered to be as one of the unplanned descent on the floor of
the patient. This study will critically evaluate the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue. It will
also investigate the various risk factors and causes associated with the incidence of fall in care
home. Moreover, this study will also determine preventive measures and practice in order to
reduce incidence of fall in care home.
Hazelwood Care Home tends to provide wide range of various care services the people
with certain problems or difficulties. It was established in the year 2000 who tends to completely
understand the key relevance of offering quality and professional services to the patients.
Research aim and Objectives
Aim
“To critically evaluate the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue. A study on
Hazelwood Care Home.”
Research Objectives
 To develop understanding on the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue in care home.
 To critically investigate the various risk factors and causes associated with the incidence
of fall in care home.
 To effectively investigate the challenges faced by the health care practitioners to to
reduce incidence of fall in care home.
 To determine effective prevention measures and practice in order to reduce incidence of
fall in care home.
Research Questions
 What do you understand by the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue in care home?
 What are the various risk factors and causes associated with the incidence of fall in care
home?
1

 What are the challenges faced by the health care practitioners to reduce incidence of fall
in care home?
 What are effective prevention measures and practice in order to reduce incidence of fall
in care home?
Rationale
The researcher of the study will choose for this topic because incidence of fall is one of
the most wide safeguarding issue which in turn helps in the attainment of broader set of
knowledge and credibility. The researcher of the study will also select the topic because of its
own academic and personal interest. This way it is useful in the bridging the gaps on the specific
subject matter.
LITERATURE REVIEW
To develop understanding on the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue in care home.
Additionally, Kannus and et.al., (2016) investigated that, a fall within the care home is referred
to as the fall of patient on the floor which in turn might result in injury to the patient. Falls
among the patients within the nursing care are in turn considered to be very common among the
patients. Falls within the hospital usually range from 2.3 to 7 falls among every 1000 patients on
an everyday basis. Incidence fall is highly categorized into accidental falls, physiological falls
and unanticipated psychological falls.
Subsequently, Hamed and et.al., (2018) argued that, fall has been reported by 2/3rd of the
population who in turn has been aged above the age of 65 years. They in turn are likely to fall
again within the period of 6 months. It is very crucial for the health care practitioners to
effectively ascertain that proper safety measures must be taken by the health care practitioners in
order to reduce the incidence of fall. Children who are aged 2 years and under must be nursed
within a cot in order to reduce the risk of fall. There should be direct supervision of the nurses by
orientating all patients within the specific ward or room. There should be adequate maintenance
of the floor, the floor must be dry and also be clear of clutter. Providing proper assistance to the
patients with unsteady patients and also health care practitioners must focus on maintaining
specific range of equipment.
To critically investigate the various risk factors and causes associated with the incidence of
fall in care home.
2

Moreover, Towne Jr and et.al., (2015) examined the fact that, the fall within the patient in turn
likely to results in various risk factors of injuries among the patient which mainly includes
fractures, excessive bleeding, death, subdural hematomas, etc. Patients who belong to higher age
group in turn are considered to be at high degree of risk of fall within the care home.
Subsequently, Noe and et.al., (2015) argued that, the fall of the patient is highly defined as the
failure in maintain appropriate sitting, lying and standard position among the patients. This in
turn eventually leads to lower degree of undesired relocation and also leads to individual abrupt.
There are various range of factors which eventually leads to high degree of risk for the fall
among the patient which mainly comprises of the environmental issue. Inappropriate use of the
side rails, wet floors, equipment clutter, call buttons of the nurses are far, usage of the faulty
range of equipment, and etc. in turn eventually leads to high degree of risk which results in falls
among patients. Forslund and et.al., (2017) sought to determine the fact that, there are various set
of medical conditions which mainly includes drop seizures, ataxia, craniotomy, etc. Altered
mental state in turn is considered to be as one of the major risk factor which makes it difficult for
the patient and expose to high degree of risk towards fall. Impaired mobility is considered to be
as one of the major cause which in turn results in high degree of risk of fault. The majority of
falls tends to occur on the bed side of the patient. Usage of the appropriate bed rails and lower
the bed levels in order to reduce such risk of fall among the patient. Use of medications such as
Sedatives, Hypnotics, Barbiturates, Phenothiazines, Laxatives, Antidepressants and Diuretics in
turn likely to increase the risk associated with the fall among the patients in care home. History
of fall is one of the prominent factor which eventually increases the risk of fall among patients.
To effectively investigate the challenges faced by the health care practitioners to reduce
incidence of fall in care home.
Jansson and et.al., (2015) sought to determine the fact that, lack of clinical skills among the
health care practitioners in turn is considered to be as one of the major and prominent sector
which in turn is considered to be one of the major challenging issue in order to reduce the risk of
incidence fall among the patients within the care home. Subsequently, Towne Jr and et.al.,
(2015) argued that, lack of inter professional communication is in turn also one of the major
challenging issue which has been faced by the health care practitioners to reduce incidence of
fall in care home. It is very crucial to maintain effective communication which in turn results in
low degree of fall among the patients by providing quality care services and outcomes.
3

Trivialisation of fall is also one of the major challenging issue and not systematically assessing
the equipment which in turn leads to high degree of incidence of fall.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methods: This methodology is relevant to gather new set of data which is very useful
in gaining broad set of information (Jensen, 2017). It is classified into quantitative and
qualitative research methods. Quantitative methods is useful in gaining statistical information to
gain generalised set of results. Qualitative research methods helps in attaining descriptive set of
information in order to attain conclusive results. The researcher of the study will select
qualitative research methods to critically evaluate the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue.
Research philosophy: It is a belief according to which the data must be gathered and collected. It
is classified into positivism and interpretivism philosophy. Positivism method in turn largely
adheres to the gaining factual set of knowledge. On the other hand, interpretivism philosophy
method is useful in interpreting each set of element in a systematic manner by properly
integration the individual human interest within the subject matter. The researcher of the study
will select interpretivism philosophy in order to critically investigate the various risk factors and
causes associated with the incidence of fall in care home
Research design: It is an appropriate technique or framework which helps in integrating various
components of the study in a logical manner (Quinlan and et.al., 2019). It is classified into
exploratory and descriptive research design. Descriptive method is very useful in addressing
various set of research problems. The researcher of the study will select descriptive research
design to effectively investigate the challenges faced by the health care practitioners to reduce
incidence of fall in care home.
Research approach: It is a planned process with broad set of assumption to carry out study. It is
classified into inductive and deductive approach. Inductive approach tends to start with specific
theories and observation to attain valid conclusion. The researcher of the study will select
inductive approach to develop better understanding on the incidence of fall as a safeguarding
issue in care home.
Data collection: It is prominent to gain new set of information. It is classified into primary and
secondary source of data collection (Litosseliti, 2018). Primary data sets helps in collecting new
first hand data. While, secondary data has been already gathered and is used to further explore
4

specific data. The researcher of the study will select primary and secondary source of data
collection in order to determine effective prevention measures and practice in order to reduce
incidence of fall in care home
Sampling: It helps in selecting right sample size to carry out study. It is classified into
probabilistic and non- probabilistic sampling methods (Almalki, 2016). The researcher of the
study will select random probabilistic sampling method where 10 health care practitioners of
Hazelwood Care Home will be selected.
Data Analysis: It is useful in interpreting the data which has been gathered. It is classified into
SPSS analysis and thematic analysis (Kumar, 2019). Thematic analysis helps in exploring each
themes of the research. The researcher of the study will select thematic analysis in order to
critically evaluate the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue and also evaluate the effective
prevention measures in order to reduce fall.
Ethical consideration: The researcher of the study will carry out study in ethical manner by
complying with various set of laws, standards and guidelines. The data will be collected from
valid sources without any manipulation (Johnson and Christensen, 2019).
TIMELINE
PARTICULAR
S
WEE
K 1
WEE
K 2
WEE
K 3
WEE
K 4
WEE
K 5.
WEE
K 6
WEE
K 7
WEE
K 8
WEE
K 9
Selection of
topic
Formulation of
aim and
objectives
Literature
Review
Research
methodology
Data analysis
Recommendati
on
5

Conclusion
6

RESEARCH PROJECT
TOPIC: “To critically evaluate the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue. A
study on Hazelwood Care Home.”
INTRODUCTION
Background
The incidence of fall is mainly associated with the falling of the person who has been
seeking care. Falls within the hospital while seeking care is one of the serious issue especially
among the older group people. Individuals who are aged 65 years and above are at the higher risk
of experiencing fall. This study focus is on examining the various risk factors, incidence of fall
and causes associated with the incidence of fall within care home. Moreover, investigating the
key challenges faced by the health care practitioners which helps in reducing incidence of fall in
care home. Furthermore, preventive practice within nursing care home is also examined.
Hazelwood Care Home is a registered provider of care to the people. It was established in
the year 2000 who provides professional care services to the patients. Moreover, it provides the
best quality services and ensures well-being for the patients.
Research aim and Objectives
Aim
“To critically evaluate the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue. A study on
Hazelwood Care Home.”
Research Objectives
 To develop understanding on the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue in care home.
 To critically investigate the various risk factors and causes associated with the incidence
of fall in care home.
 To effectively investigate the challenges faced by the health care practitioners to reduce
incidence of fall in care home.
 To determine effective prevention measures and practice in order to reduce incidence of
fall in care home.
Rationale
The researcher has specifically chosen this aim because fall incidence has the key
safeguarding issue top attain broader set of knowledge and insight. Moreover, the researcher of
7

the specific project has opted for this topic because of the academic interest as well as individual
interest of the researcher. It is useful in providing better insight related with the topic to bridge
any knowledge deficit.
Research significance
This study is very useful and significant for the future scholar who further wants to
explore on the gaps associated with the research topic. This study is very useful for the
healthcare practitioner and the care professionals to attain wider perspective on the subject
matter. This study is important for the person who has been seeking care to understand the
reason for incidence of fall.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
It is a key specific technique which is useful in identifying and selecting the right
methodology to resolve specific research problem. This is useful because it helps in critically
examining the complete reliability and validity of the study.
Research methods: It is considered to be as a defined tool which is useful in gaining
optimum knowledge related with the subject matter (Almalki, 2016). It is classified into
qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Qualitative research method mainly relies on the
unstructured non- numerical data to gain theoretical perspective associated with the study.
Quantitative research method put more emphasis on the gaining numerical and mathematical
data using range of computational techniques. The investigator of this research has selected for
qualitative research method critically evaluate the incidence of fall as a safeguarding issue.
Research philosophy: It is a belief and a phenomenon according to which the data must
be gathered and analysed. It is grouped into interpretivism and positivism philosophy.
Interpretivism is a method where the individual reacts to the social science forces and gain
empathetic understanding by allowing close interaction with the respondents. Positivism research
philosophy focuses on gaining factual knowledge with the help of thorough observation and
measurement. The investigator of this research has selected interpretivism philosophy to
critically investigate the various risk factors and causes associated with the incidence of fall in
care home.
Research approach: This is a conceptual phenomenon where the researcher narrow
down the subject matter to attain valid insight (Jensen, 2017). It is grouped into inductive and
deductive approach. Inductive approach initiates with proper reasoning and at the end the theory
8

has been generated and no hypothesis has been developed. Deductive approach is useful in
exploring the already established theory by developing a hypothesis. The investigator of this
research has selected for inductive approach to develop better understanding on the incidence of
fall as a safeguarding issue in care home.
Research design: This is an overall strategy which integrates various range of different
components into the subject matter to resolve specific research problem. It is grouped into into
exploratory and descriptive design (Quinlan and et.al., 2019). Exploratory method helps in
exploring the areas of problem associated with the research to gain theoretical idea related with
the research. Descriptive method mainly describes the specific phenomenon by investigating on
one or more set of variables. The investigator of this research has selected for descriptive
research design to effectively investigate the challenges faced by the health care practitioners to
reduce incidence of fall in care home.
Data collection: It helps in gathering relevant set of information to answer research
questions and also evaluating range of outcomes. It is grouped into primary and secondary
source of collecting data. Primary method is useful in collecting first- hand information with the
use of questionnaire. Secondary data is second hand already collected information which is
gathered through google scholars, journal articles, manuals, government documents, newspaper,
etc. The investigator of this research has selected for primary and secondary source of data
collection in order to determine effective prevention measures and practice in order to reduce
incidence of fall in care home.
Sampling: This is useful in selecting the right size of the sample from the targeted large
population (Kumar, 2019). It is grouped into probability and non- probability sampling method.
Random probabilistic sampling method gives equal chance to the people from getting selected
within the sample size. The investigator of this research has selected for random probabilistic
sampling method where 10 health care practitioners of Hazelwood Care Home will be selected.
Data analysis: It leads to cleaning and transforming the data which has been discovered
with the measure of analysing useful set of information. It is grouped into thematic and SPSS
analysis. Thematic analysis helps in analysing various themes of the study to gain wider
perspective on each elements and analyse the patterns of the study. SPSS tool is useful in
analysing the complex statistical data (Litosseliti, 2018). The investigator of this research has
9

selected for thematic analysis in order to critically evaluate the incidence of fall as a
safeguarding issue and also evaluate the effective prevention measures in order to reduce fall.
Ethical consideration: The researcher has been carrying out the study with appropriate
level of accuracy. The researcher has protected all the information of participants and the data
associated with the research. The researcher of the study comply with legal laws and standards to
carry out study with utmost degree of ethical accuracy (What are the Ethical Considerations in
Research Design?, 2019). All the data has been collected from the valid sources and the proper
citation of the data with appropriate author name has been mentioned.
Research limitation: The key significant limitation while carrying out the research is
time limitation. In order to remove this limitation the researcher prepares timeline where time for
completion for each task has been allotted significantly.
DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
Theme 1: Yes, care workers at the Hazelwood Care Home are highly professional.
PARTICULARS RESPONDENTS % OF RESPONDENTS
Yes 6 60.00%
No 3 30.00%
Neutral 1 10.00%
TOTAL 10 100.00%
10

Yes No Neutral
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
60.00%
30.00%
10.00%
% OF RESPONDENTS
Interpretation: This study has been carried out by the 10 healthcare professionals of
Hazelwood care- home. Among which, 60% constituted the fact that, the care workers at the
Hazelwood Care Home are highly professional. They have trained skills and knowledge to
provide the optimum level of care to the person who has been seeking care. The professional
care is useful in maintaining clinically safe competent nursing practice to ensure best results
related with the reducing incidence of fall. The care workers comply with the range of standards
to effectively promote clinical practice.
Theme 2: Yes, most of the participants understand the concept of incidence of fall as
safeguarding issue.
PARTICULARS RESPONDENTS % OF RESPONDENTS
Yes 7 70.00%
No 2 20.00%
Maybe 1 10.00%
TOTAL 10 100.00%
11

70.00%
20.00%
10.00%
Yes
No
Maybe
Interpretation: This study has been carried out by the 10 healthcare professionals of
Hazelwood care- home. Among which, 70% constituted the fact that, fall incidence among the
individual patient is referred to as the accidental fall on the flooring of patient. This results in
high degree of injury among the patient which tends to largely affect the outcomes of the patient
because of fall incidence (Hamed and et.al., 2018). Fall that occurs within the care home creates
serious and widespread threat to the patients safety. It is a safeguarding issues and the care
practitioners must ensure safety to the patient. Among which 10% of the participants do not
understand the concept of incidence of fall as safeguarding issue.
Theme 3: Inappropriate use of the side rails and wet floors, equipment clutter and call buttons
of the nurses are far are the key risk factors associated with the incidence of fall.
PARTICULARS RESPONDENTS % OF RESPONDENTS
Inappropriate use of the side
rails and wet floors
2 20.00%
Equipment clutter 1 10.00%
Call buttons of the nurses are
far
1 10.00%
All of the above 6 60.00%
12

TOTAL 10 100.00%
20.00%
10.00%
10.00%
60.00%
Inappropriate use of the side
rails and wet floors
Equipment clutter
Call buttons of the nurses are
far
All of the above
Interpretation: This study has been carried out by the 10 healthcare professionals of
Hazelwood care- home. Among which, 60% constituted the fact that, equipment clutter,
inappropriate use of the side rails and wet floors and call buttons of the nurses are distant are the
main factors related with fall incidence. Hence, the fall among the patient leads to various
injuries which mainly includes excessive bleeding, fractures, death, subdural hematomas, etc.
Moreover, the participants stated that, limitation in mobility, clutter of wires, impaired walking
patterns, the fear of falling, impaired balance, etc. are some of the major key risk factors which
results in incidence of fall among the patient.
Theme 4: Poor vision and muscle impairment, chronic health conditions and illness that
affect the balance are the major cause of incidence of fall in care home.
PARTICULARS RESPONDENTS % OF RESPONDENTS
Chronic health conditions 1 10.00%
Poor vision and muscle
impairment
1 10.00%
Illness that affect the balance 1 10.00%
13

All of the above 7 70.00%
TOTAL 10 100.00%
10.00%
10.00%
10.00%
70.00%
Chronic health conditions
Poor vision and muscle
impairment
Illness that affect the balance
All of the above
Interpretation: This study has been carried out by the 10 healthcare professionals of
Hazelwood care- home. Among which, 70% constituted the fact that, poor vision and muscle
impairment, chronic health conditions and illness that affect the balance are the major cause of
fall incidence in care home. Reduction in the muscle strength of the patient, poor reduction
times, impaired balance, visual impairment, etc. are the key relevant measures which cause
incidence of fall among the patient. Illness that affect the balance which mainly includes
Labyrinthitis mainly results in loss of balance and dizziness among the individual people. There
are range of chronic health conditions such as low blood pressure, heart disease, dizziness and
dementia are the key causes which leads to incidence fall among the patients.
Theme 5: Highly agreed, older people are at the higher risk of incidence of fall in care home.
PARTICULARS RESPONDENTS % OF RESPONDENTS
Agreed 3 30.00%
Highly agreed 4 40.00%
Disagreed 1 10.00%
14

Highly disagreed 0 0.00%
Neutral 2 20.00%
TOTAL 10 100.00%
30.00%
40.00%
10.00%
20.00%
Agreed
Highly agreed
Disagreed
Highly disagreed
Neutral
Interpretation: This study has been carried out by the 10 healthcare professionals of
Hazelwood care- home. Among which, 70% (30% + 40%) constituted the fact that, falls within
the hospital while seeking care is one of the serious issue especially among the older group
people. People who are aged 65 years and above are at the high degree of risk of experiencing
fall within the care home. Approximately around 2,50,000 people who belong to the older age
group i.e., 65 years and above are hospitalized because of fall every year. Any person can have a
fall. But, falls among the older group of people are at the greater risk of fall which results in
injury or more sever condition among the patient.
Theme 6: Yes, specific medications increases the risk of fall.
PARTICULARS RESPONDENTS % OF RESPONDENTS
Yes 9 90.00%
No 1 10.00%
15

Maybe 0 0.00%
TOTAL 10 100.00%
Yes No Maybe
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
90.00%
10.00%
0.00%
% OF RESPONDENTS
Interpretation: This study has been carried out by the 10 healthcare professionals of
Hazelwood care- home. Among which, 90% constituted the fact that, use of medications like
Barbiturates, Phenothiazines, Sedatives, Hypnotics, Laxatives, Antidepressants and Diuretics
likely to raise the risk related with the fall between individual patients in care home. There are
several ranges of other drugs which cause dizziness among the patient and results in fall among
the patient. Neuroleptics, Hypnosedatives, benzodiazepines, Opioid, Antipsychotics,
Anticholinergics, etc. are other few drugs which results in incidence of fall among the patient.
Theme 7: Highly agreed, difficulty in controlling the bowels and bladder increases the risk of
fall.
PARTICULARS RESPONDENTS % OF RESPONDENTS
Agreed 3 30.00%
Highly agreed 5 50.00%
Disagreed 1 10.00%
Highly disagreed 0 0.00%
16

Neutral 1 10.00%
TOTAL 10 100.00%
30.00%
50.00%
10.00%
10.00%
Agreed
Highly agreed
Disagreed
Highly disagreed
Neutral
Interpretation: This study has been carried out by the 10 healthcare professionals of
Hazelwood care- home. Among which, 80% (30%+ 50%) constituted the fact that, difficulty in
controlling the bowels and bladder increases the risk of fall. The key issue among the patient
related with the passing stools and urinating issues leads to muscle and nerve dysfunction. This
tends to largely affect the balance of the individual and results in the incidence of fall among the
patient. Certain conditions which results in sphincter muscles and damage to the nerves.
Theme 8: Lack of clinical skills, is the key challenge faced by the health care practitioners to
reduce incidence of fall in care home.
PARTICULARS RESPONDENTS % OF RESPONDENTS
Lack of clinical skills 5 50.00%
Lack of inter professional
communication
3 30.00%
17

Trivialisation of fall 2 20.00%
TOTAL 10 100.00%
50.00%
30.00%
20.00%
Lack of clinical skills
Lack of inter professional
communication
Trivialisation of fall
Interpretation: This study has been carried out by the 10 healthcare professionals of
Hazelwood care- home. Among which, 50% constituted the fact that, deficiency of clinical skills
such as physical examination, effective communication, interpersonal skills, procedural
perfection, safety companions, safety rounds, etc. are considered to be the key challenge faced by
the care professionals in order to reduce fall incidence in care home. Other, 30% tends to state
that, lack of inter professional communication between the patient and the care practitioners is
also one of the key challenging task.
Theme 9: Effective fall intervention for the patient.
Interpretation: This study has been carried out by the 10 healthcare professionals of
Hazelwood care- home. Among which, maximum respondents constituted the fact that,
educating patient and family members associated with the fall risk is one of the key significant
intervention which helps in reducing the risk of fall among the patients (Adhiyaman and et.al.,
2017). The health care practitioners carrying out frequent comfort rounds and also appropriate
reorientation strategies is one of the key significant fall intervention for the patient. Patient
18

focuses intervention is one of the most signifiant intervention because it helps the care
practitioners in providing the care in accordance to meet the needs and requirement of the
patient.
Theme 10: Effective prevention measures and practice in order to reduce incidence of fall in
care home.
Interpretation: This study has been carried out by the 10 healthcare professionals of
Hazelwood care- home. Among which, maximum respondents constituted the fact that, giving
effective assistance to the individual patients and care professional ensures maintaining of
equipments which could result in the fall incidence. Proper training to care practitioners to assist
patients at the time of seeking care is of key relevance importance. Setting bed alarms and
identifying high risk patients is of significant importance to prevent fall within the patient.
Effectively identifying the high risk patients within the hospital is of utmost importance.
DISCUSSION
Fall among the patients leads to various set of injury and can largely affect the health
outcome of the person. The failure among the patient is linked with failure in maintaining
appropriate sitting position, standard position between individual patients (Adhiyaman and et.al.,
2017). The incidence of fall within the home care is one of the key safeguarding issue which
adversely affect the health outcome of the patient. The incidence of fall is the leading cause
which tends to result in the fatal injury among the patients. The fall within the patient also tends
to result in lacerations, fractures, internal bleeding, etc. which eventually leads to increase in the
health care utilization. As supported by the literature review, falls among the patient is one of the
key increasing issue issue which tends to largely results in injury and various other diverse affect
among the patients. Children who are 2 years and below must be nursed within a cot to ensure
reduction in the risk of fall among the patient in nursing care (Sinnott and et.al., 2017).
Approximately, two- third of the population who are aged 65 years and above are at the greater
risk of fall incidence among the person seeking care.
Falls are considered to be as one of the leading cause which is mainly linked with injury
death, hospital admission for the trauma, unintentional injuries, etc. Altered mental state, use of
inappropriate bed rails, inappropriate level of the bed positions, history of fall among the
patients, etc. are considered to be as one of the key significant measure which results in fall
among the patient. There are around 20 to 30% of the people who are old tends to suffer range of
19

moderate severe injuries which in turn eventually leads to hip fractures, bruises and head trauma.
The older people are more likely to be at the higher risk of fall who belong to the age group of 65
years and above (Ravindrarajah and et.al., 2018). As per the data collected, it has been evaluated
that, 50% stated lack of clinical skills such as physical examination, effective communication,
interpersonal skills, procedural perfection, safety companions, safety rounds, etc. are the key
challenging measure which has been faced by the health care practitioners to reduce incidence of
fall in care home. As supported by the literature review, use of medications such as
Phenothiazines, Laxatives, Sedatives, Hypnotics, Antidepressants, Barbiturates and Diuretics are
likely to rise the risk linked with the fall incidence to individual patients within care home.
The fall can be effectively prevented within the hospital by ensuring that the bed levels of
the patient are adequate. This way it helps in the reduction in the level of the fall (Richardson
and Carter, 2017). The key risk factors which are mainly linked with the fall includes problem in
balancing, gait, muscle weakness, low degree of blood pressure, postural hypotension, etc. are
considered to be as the key effective measure which leads to the incidence of fall among the
patients. Complying with the literature review, lack of inter professional communication,
deficiency of clinical skills within care professionals and Trivialisation of fall are key significant
challenging measure which results in high degree of fall incidence within the patient.
Approximately, one- third of the fall can be effectively prevented by effectively managing the
underlying risk of the patient related with the incidence of fall. The care home must significantly
focus on optimizing on the environment and physical design of the care home.
Imparting education to the patient and family members linked with the fall risk is an
effective intervention that helps in reducing the risk of fall among the patients. Setting the bed
alarms at the side of the bed and keeping the floor clean with appropriate lighting helps in the
reduction in the incidence of fall (Joshi and et.al., 2017). All the wires and equipments are placed
at the right place and does not come in the way of the patient. This way it is useful in reducing
fall among the patients. Hence, falls are reasoned to be as the 2nd prima reason of unintentional
injury or accidental death among the patient. Adults who are 65 years or above are vulnerable to
the large number of fatal falls. Approximately, every year around 646000 people is because of
fall incidence across the globe. Among which 80% of them belongs to the middle and low
income countries. The key prevention strategies which mainly helps in reducing the incidence of
the fall can be done by emphasizing education and training. The care home must also focus on
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creating safe environment in order to cut down the fall incidence. Moreover, prioritizing on the
fall associated research and also effectively establishing the policies is useful in reducing the
incidence risk among the patients within home care.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusion
From the above carried out research summarizes that, fall incidence between patient who
seeks care within hospital is an accidental fall on the flooring of patient. Poor vision and muscle
impairment, chronic health conditions and illness that affect the balance are the major cause of
fall incidence in care home. The older people are most vulnerable to the risk of falling within the
care home. It has been concluded that, there are several ranges of medication and drugs which
cause dizziness among the patient and results in fall among the patient. Lack of clinical skills, is
the key challenge linked with the health care professional to cut down fall incidence within care
home. Moreover, it has been summarized that, keeping the floor clean and use of proper lighting
helps in the prevention of the fall. Moreover, adequate support from the care practitioners with
frequent check is useful in reducing the incidence of fall among the patients. Educating family
members and patients and also giving adequate set of training to the care practitioners is of
utmost importance to reduce the incidence of fall which is the prominent safeguarding issue.
Recommendation
After analysing the study, it has been identified that taking proper prevention at the Care home
can reduce the amount of the incidental fall, one of such type of the precaution is training to the
clerk in terms of proper cleaning of different premises. As one of the reason which has been
identified for incidental fall is wet floor (Sinnott and et.al., 2017). So Home care department has
to make sure that they used to clean the different premises of the Care Home these will
eventually reduce the amount of the incidental fall in the long run.
Another recommendation which has been made to the care home is that they have to make sure
that Nurses in the Care home is checking the patient on the regular basis in the premises and on
the basis of the same only they are allowing the different patient in the premises to perform the
different activity. As it has been identified that mental and physical instability are also two of the
main reason which used to cause the variety of the different sort of the issue for Care Home to
reduce the amount of incidental fall in the organization.
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Reflection
Conducting the research by my own has given me variety of the different type of the
experience in regards of the same. Starting from the feeling it can be said that I was very nervous
in the initial stage as I was conducting the project by my own for the first time. At the same time
was excited as well. Reason behind the same was that I was having knowledge that it will teach
me variety of different type of things. As research passed on I started feeling more comfortable.
There were many different type of skill set which was also developed by me in the research.
First skill set was the sourcing skill as this study has asked me to source the variety of the data
from variety of different type of sources. Another skill set which was developed by me was the
communication skill. As there were many different type of communication tool which is used by
us to communicate, these has helped me in building good communication skill of mine in the
project. These research has helped me in learning the way through which study can be conducted
in the research. This information will help me at the time of conducting any other research for
any other or same client in the future as well.
There were many different type of limitation which was also identified by me in the study
the biggest of all was that Time allotted to complete the project was very limited this has created
the variety of the different type of the issue in regards of completing the project but with the help
of senior team member I was able to complete the project on time as they have provided good
support.
22

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Allan, L.M and et.al., 2019. Incidence of fall-related injuries and the diary study. In An
intervention to improve outcomes of falls in dementia: the DIFRID mixed-methods
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Almalki, S., 2016. Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Data in Mixed Methods Research--
Challenges and Benefits. Journal of Education and Learning.5(3). pp.288-296.
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Hamed, A and et.al., 2018. Follow-up efficacy of physical exercise interventions on fall
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APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
1. Do you have professional care workers at the Hazelwood Care Home?
 Yes
 No
 Neutral
2. Do you understand by the concept of incidence of fall as safeguarding issue?
 Yes
 No
 Maybe
3. According to you what are the risk factors associated with the incidence of fall?
 Inappropriate use of the side rails and wet floors
 Equipment clutter
 Call buttons of the nurses are far
 All of the above
4. What are the main cause of incidence of fall in care home?
 Chronic health conditions
 Poor vision and muscle impairment
 Illness that affect the balance
 All of the above
5. Do you agree, older people are at the higher risk of incidence of fall in care home?
 Agreed
 Highly agreed
 Disagreed
 Highly disagreed
 Neutral
6. Do you think specific medications increases the risk of fall?
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 Yes
 No
 Maybe
7. Do you agree, difficulty in controlling the bowels and bladder increases the risk of fall?
 Agreed
 Highly agreed
 Disagreed
 Highly disagreed
 Neutral
8. According to you, what are the challenges faced by the health care practitioners to reduce
incidence of fall in care home?
 Lack of clinical skills
 Lack of inter professional communication
 Trivialisation of fall
9. According to you, what are the effective fall intervention for the patient?
10. According to you, what are effective prevention measures and practice in order to reduce
incidence of fall in care home.
26