22 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2019 QUALITY & INNOVATION AWARDS 2018 everyone plays an important role in resident safety. For example, each PSW follows the falls prevention checklist, and gives a falls report to the next shift. The need to provide this report with every shift change keeps falls prevention top-of-mind. “Our staff go to extraordinary lengths to prevent their assigned residents from falling,” says Njoku. “PSWs tell us that each day their residents do not have a fall, they feel they have done a good job for the people in their care. They feel empowered and successful.” “We learned that for falls prevention strategies to be effective, all team members need to be involved, from leadership to the entire care team,” adds Njoku. “The goal is to have everyone involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of our program. Regular communication helps our program remain successful and keeps residents safe.” The St. George program has drawn outside interest. St. George staff have shared their strategy and lessons learned with sister homes throughout Sienna Senior Living and is hosting representatives from other long-term care homes to learn more about their successful program. LTCT •  The team created a post-fall analysis form for all personal support workers to complete after a fall. •  The falls committee created individualized falls prevention plans after every fall, including reviewing the post-fall analysis form, completing interviews with the care team, and doing a root-cause analysis. •  A falls prevention toolkit was developed for each home area, and all team members were educated on the use of the kit. Fewer residents are experiencing falls-related injuries, which has also led to a drop in visits to the hospital emergency departments. The rate of falls at St. George is now well below the provincial average. The secret to their success, says Georgina Njoku, Director of Care, is that the care team is empowered and encouraged to take accountability for falls prevention, knowing that 24 HOUR 416.420.0738 At Sherrard Kuzz LLP we collaborate with our clients to anticipate and avoid human resources problems. We know proactive steps today will prevent painful headaches tomorrow. From human rights to health and safety, and everything in between… If you’re an employer, we’re the only call you need to make. sherrardkuzz.com | 416.603.0700 | 24 Hour 416.420.0738 250 Yonge St #3300, Toronto, ON M5B 2L7 | @sherrardkuzz experience, ensuring the delivery of high quality and comprehensive dietetic services! For more information, email us @ sarah@faulds.ca or go to our website: www.barkerblagrave.com Plan to visit us at booth number 626 where we will be presenting our new name; Urbshott Faulds Dietetics Professional Corporation. Julie and Sarah look forward to carrying on BB&A’s trademark, excellence in dietetic practice in Long Term Care Homes across Ontario. sarah@barkerblagrave.com (519) 550-3369 julie@barkerblagrave.com (226) 927-7029 www.barkerblagrave.com