Page 4 - FALL GUIDELINES MOH 2019

FOREWORD
FOREWORD

DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF HEALTH MALAYSIA
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF HEALTH MALAYSIA
DATUK DR. NOOR HISHAM BIN ABDULLAH
DATUK DR. NOOR HISHAM BIN ABDULLAH

Falls are a major public health concern globally. According to the WHO, falls are the second
Falls are a major public health concern globally. According to the WHO, falls are the second
leading cause of accidental injury and nonintentional deaths worldwide. Adults above the
leading cause of accidental injury and nonintentional deaths worldwide. Adults above the
age of 65 suffer the greatest number of falls.
age of 65 suffer the greatest number of falls.

Falls among hospital inpatients are common, causing significant morbidity such as fractures,
Falls among hospital inpatients are common, causing significant morbidity such as fractures,
bleeding and even death. This increases healthcare cost and prolongs hospital stay.
bleeding and even death. This increases healthcare cost and prolongs hospital stay.
Therefore falls have been included as one of the Malaysian Patient Safety Goals.
Therefore falls have been included as one of the Malaysian Patient Safety Goals.

Causes of falls are frequently complex and multifactorial, and there is evidence that a a
Causes of falls are frequently complex and multifactorial, and there is evidence that
collaborative multidisciplinary team approach can decrease the incidence of falls.
collaborative multidisciplinary team approach can decrease the incidence of falls.
Preventive strategies should emphasize education and training, creating safer environments
Preventive strategies should emphasize education and training, creating safer environments
and establishing effective policies to reduce risk.
and establishing effective policies to reduce risk.

It is timely that the Ministry of Health Geriatrics Service have developed a Falls Pathway for
It is timely that the Ministry of Health Geriatrics Service have developed a Falls Pathway for
inpatient older adults, the patient demographic most susceptible to falls and injury. I would
inpatient older adults, the patient demographic most susceptible to falls and injury. I would
like to thank and congratulate the team involved for their tireless effort and sacrifice
like to thank and congratulate the team involved for their tireless effort and sacrifice in in
coming up with this initiative.
coming up with this initiative.

My hope is that all staff and services in the Ministry work together to implement the
My hope is that all staff and services in the Ministry work together to implement the
strategies and interventions outlined in this guideline to improve patient safety and quality
strategies and interventions outlined in this guideline to improve patient safety and quality
of care in the hospital.
of care in the hospital.

Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham bin Abdullah
Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham bin Abdullah

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