Language Disorders in Adults

5533V - Falls in Patients With Communication Disability Secondary to Stroke: Medical Record and Incident Report Analysis

ON-DEMAND

Format: Technical Research (Virtual)

Audience: Public/Consumers, Researchers

Keywords: Falls, Communication disability, stroke, patient safety

Presenting Author(s)

Rebecca Sullivan

University of Technology Sydney

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Author Only (Not Presenting)(s)

Bronwyn Hemsley

The University of Newcastle
Katherine Harding

Eastern Health
Ian Skinner

Charles Sturt University

This study aimed to examine the falls of patients with communication disability following stroke using the Generic Reference Model of patient safety as the analytic lens. With ethical approval, the medical records and incident reports of 109 patients (309 falls) were analysed using descriptive statistics and content thematic analysis. The ability to communicate basic needs and attract staff attention were contributing factors for falls and falls typically occurred due to the patient attempting to address an unmet need or taking a risk. Falls also occurred in unknown circumstances with the patient being found on the floor. Staff reported challenges in assessing patients following a fall and in implementing further falls prevention strategies due to communication disability.

Learning Objectives:

Describe Participants will be able to describe the circumstances and outcomes of falls in patients with communication disability following stroke
Explain Participants will be able to explain the relationship between aspects communication disability following stroke and falls
Discuss Participants will be able to discuss the potential role of speech pathologists in preventing falls in patients with communication disability following stroke