Fairview is working to prevent falls among hospitalized patients, and to reduce personal, financial or emotional costs to patients and their families.

As of April 2007, fall rates across all Fairview hospitals and its home care and long-term care facilities ranged from 0.85 to 3.45 falls per 1,000 patient days.

All Fairview hospitals aim to keep patient falls to less than 3.5 per 1,000 days, per Joint Commission's recommendation. Many Fairview hospitals are participating in the Minnesota Hospital Association's "Safe from Falls" initiative and attended a kick-off conference in May.

Safety experts often look at patient fall rates as a key measure of nursing care. Fall rates vary by setting within hospitals because patient populations vary in their risk and likelihood for falls.

Read more about Fairview's safe care.