A post-falls assessment app and emergency lifting chair to improve the experience and outcomes for people after a non-injury fall.
This case study was submitted to the Capturing innovation to accelerate improvement project by Ashley Care.
The publication of this case study is not an endorsement.
The issue
High number of falls in people aged over 65, and long waits on the floor for treatment. This can be very distressing, with long waits for ambulances, and lead to increased care needs.
The innovation
Breaking the ‘falls cycle’ allows people using services to have better outcomes through avoiding long lies, unnecessary admissions or subsequent increased care needs that may impact their ability to stay in their own homes.
Ashley Care adopted a post-falls assessment app and emergency lifting chair to try and improve the experience and outcomes for people after a non-injury fall.
HelpFall is a post-falls assessment tool based with permission on South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust’s Post Falls Guidance Pack for Care Providers. It uses a traffic light system to categorise the fall and suggest what actions care staff should take based on their answers.
The Raizer Chair can be assembled around an uninjured person who has fallen and lift them from the floor, removing the need for someone waiting on the floor for an ambulance to attend.
The impact on people who use services
In an 8-week pilot study Ashley Care’s Homecare and Telecare services reported significant benefits. These included:
- 77% reduction in ambulance call outs
- prevention of 2,912 hours of additional care
- breaking the ‘falls cycle’
Thank you to Ashley Care for being able to get me up from the floor. I was going to have to wait 8 hours for an ambulance and Ashley Care was able to come round straight away and get me up.
Risks and mitigations
Using the HelpFall app and the triage process ensured that risk was considered for every assessment to minimise any harm to people
Engaging with staff and people who use services
Staff were fully trained ahead of using both the Helpfall app and the Raizer chair.
I can remember being so excited when I was made aware we were getting this piece of equipment, it is amazing. Its empowering to be able to help someone and prevent them for having to lay on the floor for hours waiting for an ambulance. It’s easy to use, assemble and transport. It’s really beneficial to me as a responder and to the client.
Service types where this could be useful
Ashley Care is a homecare agency. This could also be useful in a residential care setting with appropriate staff training, or for any provider required to respond to falls.
The Raizer Chair is also being used by East of England Ambulance Service.
Why we have shared this
This case study demonstrates value and benefits at multiple levels across a care pathway.
