Get Patient Falls Update

A fall may result in fractures, lacerations, or internal bleeding, leading to increased health care utilization. Research shows that close to one-third of falls can be prevented.

After the Fall Stay with the patient and call for help. Check the patient's breathing, pulse, and blood pressure. If the patient is unconscious, not breathing, or does not have a pulse, call a hospital emergency code and start CPR. Check for injury, such as cuts, scrapes, bruises, and broken bones.

Place the hospital bed in low position when a patient is resting in bed; raise bed to a comfortable height when the patient is transferring out of bed. Keep hospital bed brakes locked. Keep wheelchair wheel locks in "locked" position when stationary. Keep nonslip, comfortable, well-fitting footwear on the patient.

Avoiding falls at home using non-slip mats and rugs. making sure all rooms, passages and staircases are well lit. organising your home so that climbing, stretching and bending are kept to a minimum, and to avoid bumping into things. getting help to do things you're unable to do safely on your own.

Fall Prevention Partnership Agreement (as applicable to unit). 3. Hourly rounding (or more frequent and as needed to be individualized to patient) using 5 Ps (Potty, Pain Assessment, Placements, Positioning and Pumps).

With your health care provider's OK, consider activities such as walking, water workouts or tai chi — a gentle exercise that involves slow and graceful dance-like movements. These activities reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.

Avoiding falls at home using non-slip mats and rugs. making sure all rooms, passages and staircases are well lit. organising your home so that climbing, stretching and bending are kept to a minimum, and to avoid bumping into things. getting help to do things you're unable to do safely on your own.

Prevention Gait, balance and functional training. Tai Chi. Home assessment and modifications. Reduction or withdrawal of psychotropic drugs. Multifactorial interventions (individual fall-risk assessments followed by tailored interventions and referrals to address identified risks)