The Bellevue Hospital (TBH) Was Recently Awarded a Grant From Ohio Hospital Association Insurance Solution, Inc. (OHAIS) to Be Used for Patient Safety and Risk Management

The grant will be used for TBH’s in-house program entitled, "R & R: Reducing Risks of InPatient Falls." The project is based on the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization’s National Patient Safety Goal to “reduce the risk of patient harm resulting from falls.” TBH has designed “R& R: Reducing Risks of InPatient Falls” to reduce the risk factors that can contribute to inpatient falls. This program is multi-tiered, and one focus will be on revising TBH’s Fall Risk Assessment Policy by looking at risk factors such as age and patient medications. The hospital will also improve its fall prevention with restraint free equipment, and by using education and intervention. In addition, TBH staff will provide educational handouts to inpatients 65 and over, discussing their limitations while in the hospital in an effort to reduce their risk of falling. Finally, the Physical Therapy Department will offer Balance Assessments for inpatients and outpatients. All data collected from the assessments will be shared with the patient’s physician. Shown in the photo is the Cybex Trazer balance assessment device, purchased for TBH’s Rehabilitation Serivces Department using grant money. Showing off the new equipment are TBH staff members, Lindsay Allen, PTA, left; and Tim Buit, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer; Kate Herring, TBH Foundation Director; and Peg Natole, Rehabilitation Department Leader. For additional information about the balance assessment device, phone 419.483.4040, Ext. 4279.