Simple caffeine change on hospital wards could cut patient falls by half

TWO TRIALS USING DECAFFEINATED COFFEE HAVE HAD 'EXCITING' RESULTS

- By SAM VOLPE

DITCHING caffeine when you are in hospital could cut the risk of having a fall by half, according to a pilot study in Northumberland and North Tyneside.

Health bosses at the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust have trialled encouraging patients to take a decaffeinated cup of tea or coffee rather than their usual brew when the drinks trolley comes around.

Over two trials in the past 15 months which have taken place at wards including elderly care wards, the results have been "exciting" one expert said.

That is because on some of those wards a 50% drop in the number of patient falls while heading to the loo was seen.

In total, seven different wards where decaf options were encouraged saw those falls cut by half, with the other wards affected also seeing reductions.

This comes along with other benefits including improving the health of hospital patients' skin, helping them stay calmer, and sleep better.