Because content in this area is still being developed, it is posted in "document" form — and these documents will be updated as the innovation work progresses.

Drawing from anecdotal evidence in the literature, from hospitals successful in reducing falls, and from teams’ experience with the IHI Breakthrough Series model, we believe that different processes are needed to integrate falls prevention into every day activities within hospitals. Although a number of published reviews regarding preventing falls point to needed improvements in education and communication, we believe that deeper issues exist in “latent system problems” and “complexity” issues.

In 2002, participants of the IHI-sponsored initiative, Quantum Leaps in Patient Safety: Redesigning Culture and Processes of the Medication System, worked together on preventing falls in hospitals. The Emerging Content section will initially provides content shared by collaborating teams in the Quantum Leaps initiative to accelerate their ability to understand causes and test new ideas for preventing falls.  IHI will continue to build on this content as our improvement work in this area progresses.