National Audit of Inpatient Falls annual report 2022 (10 November 2022)

Summary

The National Audit of Inpatient Falls (NAIF) has published its latest report into the care given to patients who fell while they were in hospital and sustained a hip fracture.

Based on data from 1,394 patients in 2021, the report presents information on post-fall management and tracks performance against National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Quality Standard 86, which includes checking the patient for injury before moving, using safe lifting equipment and prompt medical assessment after the fall.

Content

Key messages

1. Fall-related fractures can happen on any ward
2. There is only one chance to get it right
3. High quality multi-factorial risk assessment (MFRA) is necessary to ensure important fall risk factors are addressed
4. Accurate post-fall checks support effective care
5. All inpatients should have access to flat lifting equipment to move patients from the floor
6. Inpatients who sustain a femoral fracture should have immediate access to analgesia
7. Improvement activities should focus on fall prevention and post-fall management processes