Hospital policies on falls in relation to patients with communication disability: a scoping review and content analysis
Rebecca Sullivan
A B * , Bronwyn Hemsley A , Ian Skinner C and Katherine Harding D E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, 100 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2008, Australia.
B Speech Pathology, Eastern Health, 8 Arnold Street, Box Hill, Vic. 3128, Australia.
C School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University, 7 Major Innes Road, Port Macquaire, NSW 2444, Australia.
D Allied Health Research Office, Eastern Health, 5 Arnold Street, Box Hill, Vic. 3128, Australia.
E School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia.
* Correspondence to: Rebecca.sullivan-1@student.uts.edu.au
Australian Health Review 47(4) 487-493 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH22289
Submitted: 7 December 2022 Accepted: 21 June 2023 Published: 17 July 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.
Abstract
Objective Falls in hospital are a significant public health issue and patients with communication disability have unique risk factors that have the potential to contribute to falls. The aim of this study is to determine how the content of hospital falls policies relate to patients with communication disability and to identify gaps in policy that need to be addressed.
Methods A scoping review and content analysis of (a) policies and related documents, from a target health service in Victoria, Australia, and all relevant Australian state and territory health departments, and (b) national guidelines was performed. Data were analysed for content relating to inclusion of patients with communication disability.
Results Communication disability is not captured as a risk factor for a fall in assessment tools. When included, aspects of communication disability were often conflated with cognitive impairments. There was little guidance for staff on adapting falls prevention education to suit the needs of patients with communication disability and limited identified role for speech pathologists.
Conclusion This study suggests that a patient’s communication disability is not visible in hospital falls policies and guidelines.
Keywords: clinical guidelines, communication disability, falls, falls prevention, health policy, hospitals, quality and safety, stroke.
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