Using Balanced Scorecard on Reducing Fall Incidents and Injuries Among Elderly Cancer Patients in a Medical Center in Taiwan

Abstract

Summary: Background: Elderly cancer patients undergoing cancer treatments were vulnerable to fall incidents and injuries, an important issue in patient safety. The aims of this study were to explore the effects of using balanced scorecard management strategies on reducing fall incidents and injuries among elderly cancer patients in a medical center. Methods: A prospective, intervention study was employed using records of fall incidents of elderly cancer patients retrieved from Taiwan Patient safety Reporting system (TPR). The intervention, balanced scorecard measures designed to reduce fall incident and injury, was added to the customer, internal process, learning and growth, financial perspectives of the balanced scorecard implemented by the medical center. SPSS 20.0 was used to in statistic analysis for frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Chi-square test. Results: Prior to the intervention, 41 fall incidents (all sustained injury) recorded in 2010: fall incident (3.26%), fall injury (100%). With the intervention, 24 fall incidents (17 sustained injuries) recorded 2011: fall incident (1.87%; χ2 = 4.985, P = 0.026) and fall injury (62.5%; χ2 = 17.845, p < 0.001) both significantly reduced. With the intervention extended in 2012, 17 fall incidents (11 injuries) in 2012: fall incident (1.38%; χ2 = 0.914, P = 0.339) and fall injury (64.7%; χ2 = 0.021, P = 0.885) maintained low. Conclusion: The results of present study provided references to healthcare institutes using balanced scorecard management strategies as intervention to reduce to fall incidents and injuries in elderly cancer patients and to prompt patient safety and quality of care. Keywords: balanced scorecard, elderly cancer patient, fall incident, fall injury