Monash reduced patient falls by enlisting volunteer sitters

When reviewing data, the nursing team at Monash Medical Centre realised that a disproportionate amount of patient falls was happening between 10am and 2pm. They decided to address this by engaging volunteers who donate their time to recovering patients.

At The Health Roundtable’s recent Nursing Improvement Group meeting on September 18/19 2014, the Monash Medical Centre team demonstrated their innovation to decrease the number of falls for high risk patients, while increasing social interaction and participation in activities. Although volunteer recruitment and retention can be challenging, this can be improved through training, support and team inclusion.

Since implementing the “Safe Activity Volunteer Pilot”, Monash Medical Centre reports that there have been no patient falls whilst in the company of a volunteer. This has resulted in a 43% and 26% reduction in overall falls on the two wards where this has been piloted.

Monash Medical Centre and other participating hospital’s innovation presentations are available to HRT members by clinking here.

To find out more about these and other innovations from this meeting, please email marion.dixon@healthroundtable.org