Private Bag 911, Timaru,
New Zealand
Telephone 03 687 2100
Facsimile 03 688 0238
5 September 2014
David Nicholas
By email:
[FYI request #1879 email]
Dear Mr Nicholas
Thank you for your request on 11 July 2014 under the Official Information Act. In reply to your question:
1. A month by month ward by ward breakdown in the number of patient falls going back 5 years?
Data prior to Aug 2012 has been reported as historical data (in different format i.e. not broken down to each
individual area – service level).
Assessment Treatment & Rehabilitation
Number Number
Number Number
of
of
of Non-
of
Injury
Occupied
Injury
Occupied
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Aug-12
3
600
Aug-12
9
600
Sep-12
4
470
Sep-12
9
470
Oct-12
3
560
Oct-12
3
560
Nov-12
5
467
Nov-12
4
467
Dec-12
2
270
Dec-12
3
270
Jan-13
1
372
Jan-13
3
372
Feb-13
3
496
Feb-13
5
496
Mar-13
0
478
Mar-13
6
478
Apr-13
2
534
Apr-13
16
534
May-13
3
602
May-13
18
602
Jun-13
3
530
Jun-13
2
530
Jul-13
3
539
Jul-13
5
539
Aug-13
1
548
Aug-13
8
548
Sep-13
1
523
Sep-13
6
523
Oct-13
0
522
Oct-13
2
522
Nov-13
1
332
Nov-13
5
332
Dec-13
0
240
Dec-13
3
240
Jan-14
2
404
Jan-14
3
404
Feb-14
1
424
Feb-14
5
424
Mar-14
0
457
Mar-14
7
457
Apr-14
1
555
Apr-14
4
555
May-14
0
555
May-14
2
555
Jun-14
1
553
Jun-14
6
553
Jul-14
1
535
Jul-14
7
535
Medical
Number Number
Number Number
of
of
of Non-
of
Injury
Occupied
Injury
Occupied
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Aug-12
3
711
Aug-12
9
711
Sep-12
4
611
Sep-12
9
611
Oct-12
3
599
Oct-12
4
599
Nov-12
4
606
Nov-12
6
606
Dec-12
2
605
Dec-12
2
605
Jan-13
1
612
Jan-13
3
612
Feb-13
1
530
Feb-13
3
530
Mar-13
2
630
Mar-13
2
630
Apr-13
4
642
Apr-13
7
642
May-13
4
675
May-13
5
675
Jun-13
0
640
Jun-13
5
640
Jul-13
1
663
Jul-13
2
663
Aug-13
5
674
Aug-13
5
674
Sep-13
1
607
Sep-13
3
607
Oct-13
2
618
Oct-13
4
618
Nov-13
0
234
Nov-13
0
234
Dec-13
1
631
Dec-13
3
631
Jan-14
3
607
Jan-14
3
607
Feb-14
2
509
Feb-14
3
509
Mar-14
1
571
Mar-14
3
571
Apr-14
2
619
Apr-14
5
619
May-14
3
599
May-14
1
599
Jun-14
3
650
Jun-14
4
650
Jul-14
2
609
Jul-14
2
609
Surgical
Number Number
Number Number
of
of
of Non-
of
Injury
Occupied
Injury
Occupied
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Aug-12
2
1084
Aug-12
6
1084
Sep-12
0
919
Sep-12
4
919
Oct-12
0
728
Oct-12
2
728
Nov-12
4
818
Nov-12
2
818
Dec-12
0
957
Dec-12
5
957
Jan-13
1
794
Jan-13
2
794
Feb-13
2
757
Feb-13
2
757
Mar-13
1
802
Mar-13
4
802
Apr-13
0
925
Apr-13
3
925
May-13
1
1063
May-13
0
1063
Jun-13
2
902
Jun-13
2
902
Jul-13
2
881
Jul-13
1
881
Aug-13
2
964
Aug-13
0
964
Sep-13
1
717
Sep-13
2
717
Oct-13
1
764
Oct-13
1
764
Nov-13
2
811
Nov-13
1
811
Dec-13
3
903
Dec-13
2
903
Jan-14
1
926
Jan-14
3
926
Feb-14
0
738
Feb-14
4
738
Mar-14
2
850
Mar-14
2
850
Apr-14
0
846
Apr-14
7
846
May-14
2
937
May-14
4
937
Jun-14
0
914
Jun-14
4
914
Jul-14
1
825
Jul-14
5
825
ICU/CCU
Number Number
Number Number
of
of
of Non-
of
Injury
Occupied
Injury
Occupied
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Jul-12
0
175
Jul-12
0
175
Aug-12
0
175
Aug-12
0
175
Sep-12
1
131
Sep-12
0
131
Oct-12
0
133
Oct-12
0
133
Nov-12
0
117
Nov-12
0
117
Dec-12
0
157
Dec-12
0
157
Jan-13
0
118
Jan-13
0
118
Feb-13
0
93
Feb-13
0
93
Mar-13
0
148
Mar-13
0
148
Apr-13
0
162
Apr-13
0
162
May-13
0
150
May-13
0
150
Jun-13
0
118
Jun-13
0
118
Jul-13
0
136
Jul-13
0
136
Aug-13
0
147
Aug-13
0
147
Sep-13
0
114
Sep-13
0
114
Oct-13
0
138
Oct-13
0
138
Nov-13
0
151
Nov-13
1
151
Dec-13
0
112
Dec-13
0
112
Jan-14
0
111
Jan-14
0
111
Feb-14
0
124
Feb-14
0
124
Mar-14
2
152
Mar-14
0
152
Apr-14
0
129
Apr-14
0
129
May-14
0
136
May-14
0
136
Jun-14
0
121
Jun-14
0
121
Jul-14
0
137
Jul-14
0
137
Day patient Services
Number
Number
of
of Non-
Injury
Injury
Month
Falls
Month
Falls
Jul-12
0
Jul-12
0
Aug-12
0
Aug-12
0
Sep-12
0
Sep-12
0
Oct-12
0
Oct-12
0
Nov-12
0
Nov-12
0
Dec-12
0
Dec-12
0
Jan-13
0
Jan-13
0
Feb-13
0
Feb-13
0
Mar-13
0
Mar-13
0
Apr-13
0
Apr-13
0
May-13
0
May-13
0
Jun-13
0
Jun-13
0
Jul-13
0
Jul-13
1
Aug-13
1
Aug-13
0
Sep-13
0
Sep-13
0
Oct-13
0
Oct-13
0
Nov-13
0
Nov-13
0
Dec-13
0
Dec-13
0
Jan-14
0
Jan-14
0
Feb-14
0
Feb-14
0
Mar-14
0
Mar-14
0
Apr-14
0
Apr-14
0
May-14
0
May-14
0
Jun-14
0
Jun-14
0
Jul-14
0
Jul-14
0
Maternity Services
Number Number
Number Number
of
of
of Non-
of
Injury
Occupied
Injury
Occupied
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Jul-12
0
223
Jul-12
0
223
Aug-12
0
226
Aug-12
0
226
Sep-12
0
186
Sep-12
0
186
Oct-12
0
174
Oct-12
0
174
Nov-12
0
193
Nov-12
0
193
Dec-12
0
252
Dec-12
0
252
Jan-13
0
177
Jan-13
0
177
Feb-13
0
143
Feb-13
0
143
Mar-13
0
222
Mar-13
0
222
Apr-13
0
203
Apr-13
0
203
May-13
0
151
May-13
0
151
Jun-13
0
162
Jun-13
0
162
Jul-13
0
189
Jul-13
0
189
Aug-13
0
175
Aug-13
0
175
Sep-13
0
211
Sep-13
0
211
Oct-13
0
156
Oct-13
0
156
Nov-13
0
153
Nov-13
0
153
Dec-13
0
151
Dec-13
0
151
Jan-14
0
166
Jan-14
0
166
Feb-14
0
201
Feb-14
0
201
Mar-14
0
196
Mar-14
0
196
Apr-14
0
181
Apr-14
0
181
May-14
0
197
May-14
0
197
Jun-14
0
152
Jun-14
0
152
Jul-14
0
169
Jul-14
0
169
Paediatric Service
Number Number
Number Number
of
of
of Non-
of
Injury
Occupied
Injury
Occupied
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Jul-12
0
174
Jul-12
1
174
Aug-12
0
158
Aug-12
0
158
Sep-12
0
149
Sep-12
0
149
Oct-12
0
79
Oct-12
0
79
Nov-12
0
96
Nov-12
0
96
Dec-12
0
117
Dec-12
0
117
Jan-13
0
95
Jan-13
0
95
Feb-13
0
54
Feb-13
0
54
Mar-13
0
131
Mar-13
1
131
Apr-13
0
131
Apr-13
0
131
May-13
0
125
May-13
0
125
Jun-13
0
120
Jun-13
0
120
Jul-13
0
139
Jul-13
0
139
Aug-13
0
112
Aug-13
0
112
Sep-13
0
136
Sep-13
0
136
Oct-13
0
166
Oct-13
0
166
Nov-13
0
114
Nov-13
0
114
Dec-13
0
109
Dec-13
1
109
Jan-14
0
74
Jan-14
0
74
Feb-14
0
92
Feb-14
1
92
Mar-14
0
134
Mar-14
0
134
Apr-14
0
113
Apr-14
0
113
May-14
0
139
May-14
0
139
Jun-14
0
91
Jun-14
0
91
Jul-14
0
122
Jul-14
0
122
Mental Health and Addiction Services Inpatient Unit
Number Number
Number Number
of
of
of Non-
of
Injury
Occupied
Injury
Occupied
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Month
Falls
Bed Days
Jul-12
0
264
Jul-12
2
264
Aug-12
0
170
Aug-12
0
170
Sep-12
0
162
Sep-12
0
162
Oct-12
0
304
Oct-12
0
304
Nov-12
1
189
Nov-12
0
189
Dec-12
0
242
Dec-12
0
242
Jan-13
3
304
Jan-13
3
304
Feb-13
0
230
Feb-13
1
230
Mar-13
0
273
Mar-13
0
273
Apr-13
0
231
Apr-13
0
231
May-13
0
264
May-13
0
264
Jun-13
0
278
Jun-13
0
278
Jul-13
0
287
Jul-13
0
287
Aug-13
1
295
Aug-13
0
295
Sep-13
0
246
Sep-13
2
246
Oct-13
0
220
Oct-13
2
220
Nov-13
0
244
Nov-13
0
244
Dec-13
1
171
Dec-13
0
171
Jan-14
0
231
Jan-14
1
231
Feb-14
1
215
Feb-14
1
215
Mar-14
0
217
Mar-14
0
217
Apr-14
0
194
Apr-14
0
194
May-14
0
175
May-14
1
175
Jun-14
1
211
Jun-14
0
211
Jul-14
0
130
Jul-14
0
130
Historical Data
From Incident Reporting Monthly Summary Report
October 2009
Fall- Injury
Surgical Group
11
Medical Group
3
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
15
Support Group
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Group
Medical Group
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
Support Group
November 2009
Fall- Injury
Surgical Group
3
Medical group
1
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
Support Group
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Group
2
Medical group
4
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
Talbot
26
December 2009
Fall- Injury
Surgical Group
2
Medical group
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
3
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Group
1
Medical group
10
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
7
January 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Group
3
Medical group
3
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
2
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Group
3
Medical group
7
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
9
February 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Group
1
Medical group
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Group
2
Medical group
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
8
March 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Group
3
Medical group
1
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
3
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Group
3
Medical group
2
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
7
April 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Group
1
Medical group
1
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
4
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Group
4
Medical group
2
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
5
Support Grp
1
May 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Group
3
Medical Group
2
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
2
Support group
1
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Group
5
Medical Group
7
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
9
June 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Group
1
Medical group
5
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
3
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Group
2
Medical group
5
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
13
July 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Group
Medical group
1
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Group
Medical group
8
AT&R/ Mental Health Group
16
August 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
1
Medical & Ambulatory Group
2
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
Talbot
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
3
Medical & Ambulatory Group
10
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
5
September 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
2
Medical & Ambulatory Group
1
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
2
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
3
Medical & Ambulatory Group
12
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
9
October 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
2
Medical & Ambulatory Group
2
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
1 W10
3- ATR
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
3
Medical & Ambulatory Group
12
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
ATR -6
November 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
1
Medical & Ambulatory Group
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
2
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
2
Medical & Ambulatory Group
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
7
Talbot
20
December 2010
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
6
Medical & Ambulatory Group
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
3
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
5
Medical & Ambulatory Group
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
5
January 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
3
Medical & Ambulatory Group
3
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
1
Talbot
6
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
5
Medical & Ambulatory Group
5
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
7
1 wd10
February 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
1
Medical & Ambulatory Group
3
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
2
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
5
Medical & Ambulatory Group
5
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
12
March 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
Medical & Ambulatory Group
5
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
6
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
2
Medical & Ambulatory Group
8
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
6
April 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
1
Medical & Ambulatory Group
3
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
3
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
7
Medical & Ambulatory Group
9
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
5
May 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
3
Medical & Ambulatory Group
2
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
Medical & Ambulatory Group
10
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
6
June 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
3
Medical & Ambulatory Group
1
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
2
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
9
Medical & Ambulatory Group
3
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
5
Talbot
12
July 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
Medical & Ambulatory Group
3
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
8
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
4
Medical & Ambulatory Group
4
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
5
Primary Care
Service Support Group
1
August 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
5
Medical & Ambulatory Group
5
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
2
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
6
Medical & Ambulatory Group
8
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
29
September 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
4
Medical & Ambulatory Group
3
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
3
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
6
Medical & Ambulatory Group
10
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
15
Talbot
21
October 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
3
Medical & Ambulatory Group
2
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
9
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
3
Medical & Ambulatory Group
5
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
12
November 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
2
Medical & Ambulatory Group
6
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
5
Medical & Ambulatory Group
4
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
10
December 2011
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
Medical & Ambulatory Group
1
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
Primary Care
nil
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
5
Medical & Ambulatory Group
2
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
January 2012
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
3
Medical & Ambulatory Group
1
5
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
3
Talbot
12
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
Medical & Ambulatory Group
10
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
11
February 2012
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
2
Medical & Ambulatory Group
4
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
1
Primary Care
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
3
Medical & Ambulatory Group
X5
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
5
March 2012
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
6
Medical & Ambulatory Group
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
4
Talbot
11
Primary Care
1
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
2
Medical & Ambulatory Group
5
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
13
April 2012
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
1
Medical & Ambulatory Group
3
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
3
Community
0
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
2
Medical & Ambulatory Group
3
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
6
May 2012
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
2
Medical & Ambulatory Group
5
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
7
Community
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
6
Medical & Ambulatory Group
3
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
11
June 2012
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
2
Medical & Ambulatory Group
2
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
Community
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
1
Medical & Ambulatory Group
5
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
5
July 2012
Fall- Injury
Surgical Services Group
1
Medical & Ambulatory Group
4
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
6
Community
Falls – Non injury
Surgical Services Group
1
Medical & Ambulatory Group
5
Mental, Allied & Health of Older Persons
7
ATR falls non-injury
Please note falls with injury range from minor harm i.e bruising or skin tear to serious harm i.e fracture or death.
Timaru Hospital has no reported falls with serious harm from July 2013 to current (5/9/14).
2. What is the purpose of the green band placed on a patient wrist?
The green band is utilised as an identifier for patients who are assessed as ‘at risk’ of falling.
In the Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation Ward staff are utilising a new risk assessment tool and care
plan format. The green wrist bracelet is utilised to identify patients who are at ‘high risk’ of falling.
3. What is current SCDHB policy and procedures about patient falls, has this policy changed?
Current procedure as requested. All polices, protocols, procedures are reviewed every two years or sooner to
meet legislative changes or changes to best practice. Falls Prevention and Management Procedure has been
updated, currently in signoff process.
4. Are falls automatically referred to ACC? (we have asked ACC for their figures)
The Falls Prevention/Management Procedure states – ‘An Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) form is to be
completed for all patients who present with an injury following a fall’.
5. How many patient falls have had an ACC 45 form filled out and filed with ACC?
This data is not collected by SCDHB in this format.
If you have any further questions please contact me.
Regards
Nicola Prue
Communications Manager
On behalf of
Nigel Trainor
Chief Executive