No Falls Day, a state wide falls prevention initiative, will be launched on 1 April 2009 in regional and metropolitan hospitals as part of the Stay On Your Feet WA® program.

Geraldton Hospital will be going orange for fall prevention, a No Falls Day event that involves staff coming to work in orange to highlight the need to prevent falls.

Over 40 per cent of patients with specific health problems such as stroke will fall one or more times while admitted to a sub-acute or rehabilitation hospital setting.

Injury Control Council of WA Falls Prevention Manager Suzanne Ralston said falls are a major health issue.

“Falls are a very serious issue in hospitals,” she said.

“The effect of a fall is widespread and is not only a significant economic burden on the health system, but the loss of independence and mobility of the individual comes at a far greater cost.”

Hospitals are encouraged to promote the ‘no falls’ message and host an event on No Falls Day to educate all staff about this important message in a fun way.

The Injury Control Council of WA and the Department of Health’s Stay On Your Feet® program will provide resources and merchandise to support hospitals hosting a No Falls Day event.

For more information on No Falls Day at Geraldton Hospital please contact Regional Clinical Practice Improvement Coordinator Tammy Treasure on 9956 2222.