The Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) has a new definition for a fall.
Definition
“An event which results in a person coming to a rest unintentionally on the ground, floor or other lower level.”
This definition was developed and tested with NHS staff, academics, a public partner, and people with expertise in falls.
Why we define a fall
- Hospitals across Scotland record information about falls, including when a person experiences harm because of a fall.
- Previously this information was collected and reported in different ways.
- Using one definition across all NHS boards will make it easier to understand the challenge and for teams to share and learn from each other.
Why defining falls is important
- Recording falls in the same way helps us understand when and why they happen across Scotland.
- When the data is clear and accurate, we can:
- learn from it
- use the findings to improve guidance and support practice
- understand if changes to practice are helping to reduce falls in hospital
- By understanding falls better, we can work together to help reduce them.