Evidence-based pediatric fall safety bundles: a nursing perspective on integrated prevention strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/mw2025847Keywords:
pediatric falls, fall prevention, safety bundles, nursing, patient safety, quality improvementAbstract
Background: Pediatric falls in healthcare settings pose unique risks due to developmental factors, occurring at rates up to 1.3 per 1,000 patient-days and accounting for 20-30% of adverse events. Evidence-based safety bundles have emerged as integrated prevention strategies, yet gaps in synthesis persist, particularly regarding nursing roles and implementation challenges. Objective: This short communication synthesizes current evidence on the effectiveness, components, and challenges of pediatric fall safety bundles to guide nursing practice and quality improvement. Methods: A narrative synthesis of literature, including historical developments, bundle components, implementation determinants, and research gaps, drawing from meta-analyses, quality improvement studies, and collaborative networks. Key Findings: Prevention strategies evolved from single interventions in the 1980s-1990s to multicomponent bundles by the 2010s, emphasizing risk assessment, family education, environmental modifications, and staff training. Nursing leadership is central, driving implementation through champion roles, direct care, and monitoring. Facilitators include leadership support and standardization, while barriers encompass resource constraints, staff turnover, and methodological inconsistencies. Research gaps highlight needs for controlled trials, economic evaluations, and population-specific adaptations. Implications: Recommendations prioritize bundle adoption, competency programs, technology integration, and rigorous future research. From a nursing perspective, these strategies foster holistic prevention, reducing falls and enhancing outcomes. Conclusion: Bundles offer a robust framework for safer pediatric care, with nurses pivotal in advancing evidence-informed innovation and systemic resilience.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Corrien Van Belkum, Amina Elzeiny, Ahmed Loutfy , Moataz Abdelsalam, Abdelhameed Elshenawy (Author)
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