Atrium Health’s innovative approach to fall prevention, driven by advanced monitoring technology and strategic collaborations, has yielded significant reductions in fall rates and associated costs. By overcoming previous limitations in data collection and analysis, Atrium Health has enhanced its ability to identify patterns, implement targeted interventions, and ultimately improve patient safety. Through careful evaluation, collaborative efforts, and the integration of technology with existing workflows, Atrium Health has not only achieved positive outcomes in falls prevention but also set a precedent for effective healthcare strategies.
Atrium Health, a prominent healthcare system in North Carolina, recognized the pressing need to enhance its fall prevention strategies due to previous limitations in data collection and analysis. With a commitment to improving patient safety, Atrium Health embarked on a journey to implement advanced monitoring technology and streamline workflows. Through strategic collaborations and a data-driven approach, Atrium Health aimed to identify trends, implement targeted interventions, and ultimately reduce fall rates and associated costs.
Previously, Atrium Health’s fall prevention methods fell short due to inadequate technology, which hindered the acquisition of specific patient data necessary for detailed analysis. Although raw numbers were available, they lacked granularity, impeding the identification of crucial patterns such as time and day variations without extensive manual efforts.
Recognizing the urgency for a more refined approach, Robert Rose, market chief nurse executive for Atrium Health’s central division, highlighted falls as a significant concern and emphasized the pivotal role of magnet indicators in driving a robust prevention plan. The decision to upgrade technology was rooted in a desire for tangible outcomes and was informed by careful evaluation of existing implementations.
The implementation of the Hester Davis Falls Program marked a pivotal moment in Atrium Health’s journey. Despite initial challenges stemming from the lack of partnership between Hester Davis and Atrium Health’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) vendor, a collaborative effort involving multidisciplinary teams ensured successful integration. Dawn Ross, vice president and chief clinical informatics officer, stressed the importance of strategic collaboration and workflow analysis in optimizing the technology’s efficacy.
A key feature of the Hester Davis program was its provision of targeted interventions alongside risk identification, with investments in patient safety equipment such as chair alarms and bed alarms. The program’s analytics and integrated workflow streamlined processes, facilitating timely interventions and fostering a data-driven approach to fall prevention.
Since its implementation in April 2022, the technology platform has demonstrated significant success in reducing fall rates and preventing fall-related injuries. Notably, fall rates have decreased from an average of 3.5 to approximately 3.1, with a noticeable decrease in falls resulting in injuries. Rose underscored the financial impact, estimating a cost avoidance of around $500,000 based on literature-related falls.
Reflecting on their journey, Ross offered insights for other healthcare institutions embarking on similar initiatives. She emphasized the importance of incorporating foam mats for injury prevention and advocated for collaboration with EHR vendors to enhance technology effectiveness. Integrating fall prevention tools with EHR systems streamlines workflows and ensures seamless access to critical information.
Ross also highlighted the value of embedding evidence directly into workflows to reinforce the completion of necessary interventions and stressed the importance of patient engagement through bedside computers. Engaging patients in the documentation process fosters a sense of involvement and transforms them into active participants in fall prevention efforts.
Atrium Health’s innovative approach to fall prevention has demonstrated significant success in enhancing patient safety and reducing healthcare costs. By leveraging advanced monitoring technology, strategic collaborations, and data-driven insights, Atrium Health has overcome previous limitations and set a new standard for fall prevention in healthcare. Moving forward, Atrium Health’s experience serves as a valuable blueprint for other healthcare institutions seeking to enhance patient safety and improve outcomes through innovative strategies.
