Multidisciplinary approach to reducing falls for people with dementia on an older adult mental health ward (Sorlie, Shields, Connellan, Addo, Aurelio, 2026)

Sorlie C; Shields G; Connellan T; Addo N; Aurelio M; 

BMJ open quality [BMJ Open Qual] 2026 Jun 01; Vol. 15 (2). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jun 01.

Available online at this link

Background: Falls can present a significant cost to individuals, their loved ones and the healthcare system. People with dementia on inpatient wards are at increased risk of falls, making this an important patient safety issue.

Aim: The aim of the project was to reduce falls rate on an older adult mental health ward by 30% (from an average of 5.4 to 3.7 per 1000 occupied bed days) by September 2024.

Methods: Using quality improvement methodology, a multidisciplinary team tested interventions to enhance therapeutic engagement, strengthen supportive nursing observations, mitigate medication-related risks and improve the ward environment.

Results: The project surpassed its aim, reducing falls rate by 74% to 1.4 falls per 1000 occupied bed days.

Conclusions: This project demonstrated the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to falls reduction, as well as the value of employing Plan-Do-Study-Act methodology for rapid testing and learning.