Which requirement is essential for developing a fall prevention program?

Implementing assessments and interventions is essential for developing a fall prevention program because it establishes a systematic approach to identifying patients at risk of falls and provides tailored strategies to mitigate that risk. Conducting thorough assessments allows healthcare providers to recognize individual patient factors such as age, medical history, mobility status, and environmental hazards that can contribute to falls.

Once potential risks are identified through these assessments, appropriate interventions can be implemented. These may include adjusting patient environments, providing assistive devices, or education on safe mobility practices. This structured method ensures that the prevention program is proactive, rather than reactive, ultimately enhancing patient safety and reducing the incidence of falls.

In contrast, while creating educational materials can support a fall prevention program by providing patients with information, it cannot solely address the complexities of fall risks without proper assessments and tailored interventions. Discontinuing high-risk medications can be a component of fall prevention, but it's not a comprehensive approach since it doesn't address all the multifactorial risks associated with falls. Restricting patient movement goes against modern patient-centered care practices, which emphasize mobility and independence, therefore it's not a viable strategy for a fall prevention program.