Preparing patients at high risk of falls for discharge home after rehabilitation: Do we meet the guidelines?

Abstract

AIM: To determine whether rehabilitation inpatients at high risk of falls receive adequate falls risk assessment, management and handover on discharge as per Australian Best Practice Guidelines. METHODS: Medical records of 121 people who received inpatient rehabilitation were retrospectively screened; records of 50 people discharged home and at high falls risk (fall in last 12 months, fall preceding/during admission) were audited. Data extracted included falls risk identification during rehabilitation and in discharge documentation; falls risk factors assessed; and fall prevention strategies implemented. RESULTS: Discharge documentation correctly identified falls risk for just nine of the 50..