Journey to Zero: Reducing Inpatient Falls

White Oak Medical Center (WOMC) was named a recipient of the 2025 Minogue Circle of Honor Award for Patient Safety Innovation by the Maryland Patient Safety Center. This recognition celebrates an initiative that led to a 61% reduction in inpatient falls, a significant milestone in our commitment to patient safety.

The Challenge: Tackling Inpatient Falls

Inpatient falls are a serious and ongoing safety concern in healthcare, often resulting in injuries, prolonged hospital stays and increased costs. In 2022, WOMC recorded 132 patient falls, prompting a comprehensive review of incident reports, patient outcomes, and staff feedback. This deep dive laid the foundation for a robust, evidence-based intervention strategy.

The Strategy: Leadership-Led Post-Fall Debriefs

In April 2022, WOMC launched a structured process that included conducting post-fall debriefs within 24 hours of each incident. The debriefs were conducted by a multidisciplinary leadership team that included representatives from risk management, quality improvement, nursing leadership and executive staff. Their goal was to identify contributing factors and implement immediate corrective actions such as protocol adjustments, environmental modifications, and staff training. 

This multidisciplinary approach and data-driven strategy allowed for the continuous monitoring and improvement of fall prevention efforts including reduced fall rates, fewer patient injuries and increased staff engagement.

The Solution: A Culture of Real-Time, Evidence-Based Improvement

By embedding patient-first safety principles into daily operations, WOMC created a responsive and resilient system that allowed for the implementation of informed interventions and refined strategies based on real-time analytics, resulting in sustained accountability and enhanced patient outcomes.

The Results: An Award-Winning Initiative and 61% Reduction in Falls

Between 2022 and 2024, WOMC achieved a 61% reduction in inpatient falls. As a result, WOMC was named a recipient of the 2025 Minogue Circle of Honor Award for Patient Safety Innovation by the Maryland Patient Safety Center. WOMC remains committed to continuous improvement and innovation in patient care. Our journey to zero falls is ongoing, and we will continue to build on this success to ensure a safer, more supportive environment for every patient, every day.