1. Role of the Health Information and Quality Authority in falls prevention and management

2. Overview Role and function of the Authority
Relevant regulations and national standards
Inspection process
Notifications

3. Role of the Authority
The independent Authority was established to drive high quality and safe care for people using our health and social care services.
Our role is to promote sustainable improvements and safeguard people using health and social care services.

4. Function of the Authority
The Authority’s mandate extends across the quality and safety of the public, private and voluntary sectors.
We report to the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

5. Regulations and Standards
Regulate designated centres for older persons and for people with disabilities.
Care and welfare Regulations (2013)
Care and support Regulations (2013)
National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland
National Standards for Residential Services for children and Adults with Disability

6. Relevant Regulations in Older Person’s Services
Reg. 5 Individual assessment and care plan
Reg. 6 Health care
Reg. 17 Premises
Reg. 21. Records, Schedule 3 A record of any fall and of treatment provided to the resident
Schedule 4 - The chief inspector shall be notified of the occurrence of any serious injury that requires immediate medical and/or hospital treatment within 3 days

7. Reg.26 Risk management
The provider shall ensure that the risk management policy includes:
Hazard identification and assessment of risks throughout the centre
The measures and actions in place to control the risks identified
Arrangements for the identification, recording and investigation of, and learning from serious or adverse events involving residents

8. National Standards
The (PIC) promotes healthy and safe work practices through the provision of training, supervision and monitoring of staff for falls management
The PIC ensures that all significant events including accidents, injuries and dangerous occurrences are recorded
The PIC, for ongoing quality monitoring and continuous improvement collects data on residents who have fallen within the last month

9. What do inspectors assess during inspection?
Are there effective management systems in place to ensure the delivery of safe, quality care services?
Is there an annual review of the quality and safety of care delivered to residents?

10. Health and Social Care Needs
Is each resident’s wellbeing and welfare maintained by a high standard of evidence based nursing care?
Are there arrangements in place to meet each resident’s assessed needs, set out in an care plan drawn up with their involvement and reflecting his/her changing needs?

11. Health and safety and risk management
Does the centre have policies and procedures relating to health and safety?
Are there arrangements in place for investigating and learning from serious incidents/adverse events?
Are reasonable measures in place to prevent accidents in the centre and grounds?
Are staff trained in moving and handling of residents?

12. Safety
Is equipment (eg. hoists) fit for purpose and is there a process for ensuring that equipment is properly used and maintained?
Are staff trained to use equipment and is it stored safely?
Are handrails provided in circulation areas and stairs?
Are grab rails provided in bath, shower and toilet?

13. Safe and Suitable Premises
Does the location, design and layout of the centre meet residents’ individual and collective needs in a comfortable and homely way?
Are the premises and grounds well-maintained?
Do residents have access to safe external grounds?

14. Staffing
Are there are appropriate staff numbers to meet the assessed needs of residents, and to the size and layout of the centre?
Do staff have up-to-date mandatory training and access to education to meet the needs of residents e.g. falls prevention and management?

15. Relevant Policies
Are there falls prevention and management policies and procedures which reflect the centre’s practice?
Do staff understand the policies and implement them in practice?
Are they reviewed and updated to reflect best practice and at intervals not exceeding 3 years?

16. Notifications submitted to the Authority
In 2014, 4,028 notifications of an injury to a resident that required medical and or hospital treatment were received from 508 centres.

17. Notification response
All notifications are risk-assessed by an inspector in terms of the severity of the impact on current/future service users.
Once assessed, the inspector’s response can range from reviewing the notification at the next inspection, requesting additional information, or scheduling a triggered inspection.

18. Thank you
Questions