Reducing the risk of baby falls in maternity units

Janiszewski, Helen

Helen Janiszewski is midwifery ward sister, Nottingham University Hospitals.

• This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

5 key points 1 There is a lack of guidance on preventing baby falls in hospitals

2 Data on baby falls in the UK is limited but approximately four babies in every 10,000 births will be accidentally dropped in maternity units in the US

3 Baby falls can result in serious injury

4 Most baby falls occur when the mother has restricted mobility, due to having had a Caesarean section

5 Simple interventions like open curtains and using bedside cots can reduce baby falls

Using open curtains and bedside cots, for mothers identified as being more likely to drop their babies, have greatly reduced the number of baby falls

Nursing Times 111(29):p 21-23, July 8, 2015.

Abstract

Janiszewski H (2015) Reducing the risk of baby falls in maternity units. Nursing Times; 11: 28/29, 21–23.

During a 12-month period there were 17 baby falls on the maternity wards at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust; two of the babies who fell were injured. By collecting information about the baby falls and how they happened, we were able to compile a guideline for both preventing and managing baby falls. This formed part of the trust's patient safety programme. We then piloted and implemented risk-prevention strategies for baby falls. These involved a risk assessment to identify women needing closer observation and the installation of bedside cots. These strategies brought about a marked reduction of baby falls and are now being established across all the maternity units across the trust.

In this article…

> Baby falls and how they occur

> How to implement a change of practice

> Guidelines for preventing and managing baby falls