AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES
Caitlyn Allen, Patient Safety Authority
Caitlyn Allen (caiallen@pa.gov) is director of Engagement for the Patient Safety Authority and managing editor for Patient Safety, the PSA’s peer-reviewed journal. Before joining the PSA, she was the project manager for Patient Safety at Jefferson Health, where she also was the only nonphysician elected to serve on the House Staff Quality and Safety Leadership Council. Previously, Allen also was a project manager and patient safety officer for Wills Eye Hospital.
Susan C. Wallace, Patient Safety Authority
Susan C. Wallace is a senior patient safety liaison with the Patient Safety Authority for the South Central region of Pennsylvania, as well as a Core Team Lead for the PSA’s Center of Excellence for Improving Diagnosis. Prior to her current role, Wallace was a data analyst at the PSA, and she has worked as a director of risk management, patient safety officer, and safety analyst.
Abstract
Pennsylvania fall rates have remained relatively steady over the past six years, ranging from 3.09–3.33 falls per 1,000 patient days. Other studies estimate that hospital falls occur at a rate of 3.56 per 1,000 patient days and 700,000 to 1 million patients fall each year.
Falls in Pennsylvania continue to be one of the biggest contributors to patient harm and the fourth most frequently reported adverse event. Looking more broadly, falls are also a frequent cause of patient harm across the United States and globally. A review of international fall prevention strategies revealed that while no single country has been able to eradicate patient falls, several had implemented measures showing moderate levels of success. Those struggling with a high incidence of falls may benefit from reviewing and adopting one or more of these innovative techniques.
