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       #Post#: 250--------------------------------------------------
       Why does falls prevention in mental health inpatient services ma
       tter?
       By: admini5 Date: May 14, 2015, 2:52 am
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       Across England and Wales, approximately 36,000 falls are
       reported from mental health units each year (NPSA 2010). A
       significant number of falls result in death, severe or moderate
       injury, at an estimated cost of £15 million per annum for
       immediate healthcare treatment alone (NPSA 2007). This is likely
       to be an underestimation of the overall financial burden from
       falls once the costs of rehabilitation and social care is taken
       into account, as up to 90% of older people who
       fracture their neck of femur never recover their previous level
       of mobility or independence (Murray et al. 2007).
       In addition to these financial costs, there are other costs that
       are more difficult to quantify. The human cost of falling
       includes distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence and
       independence, as well as the anxiety caused to the person who
       falls, their relatives, carers, and healthcare staff.
       People of all ages fall but falls are most likely to occur in
       older people who are more liable to experience serious injury
       (NPSA 2007). The causes of falls are complex and older people
       accessing mental health services are particularly vulnerable to
       falling because of dementia or depression, side effects from
       medication, or problems with balance, strength or mobility.
       Problems like poor eyesight or poor mobility can create a
       greater risk of falls when someone is removed from their normal
       environment because they are less able to recognise and avoid
       any hazards, whilst continence problems can mean people are
       vulnerable to falling when making urgent journeys to the toilet.
       However, patient safety has to be balanced with independence,
       rehabilitation, privacy and dignity – a service user who is not
       allowed to walk alone may become unable to walk alone. Falls in
       healthcare settings and fall-related injuries are therefore a
       complex challenge for all healthcare providers.
       See more at:
  HTML https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/npsa-how-to-guide-falls-mental-health.pdf
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