What can you do to prevent the likelihood of falls of your client has incontinence?
Chapter 3. Safe Patient Handling, Positioning, and Transfers Show Patient falls are the most reported patient safety events in British Columbia and account for 40% of all adverse events (BCPSLS, 2015). Falls are a major priority in health care, and health care providers are responsible for identifying, managing, and eliminating potential hazards to patients. All patient-handling activities (positioning, transfers, and ambulation) pose a risk to patients and health care providers. Older adults may be at increased risk for falls due to impaired mental status, decreased strength, impaired balance and mobility, and decreased sensory perception (Titler, Shever, Kanak, Picone, & Qin, 2011). Other patients may be at risk due to gait problems, cognitive ability, visual problems, urinary frequency, generalized weakness, and cognitive dysfunction. Specific treatments and medications may cause hypotension or drowsiness, which increase a patient’s risk for falls (Hook & Winchel, 2006). Fall Prevention StrategiesAll clients should be assessed for risk factors, and necessary prevention measures should be implemented as per agency policy. Table 3.7 lists factors that affect patient safety and general measures to prevent falls in health care.
Lowering a Patient to the FloorA patient may fall while ambulating or being transferred from one surface to another. If a patient begins to fall from a standing position, do not attempt to stop the fall or catch the patient. Instead, control the fall by lowering the patient to the floor. Checklist 31 lists the steps to assisting a patient to the floor to minimize injury to patient and health care provider (PHSA, 2010). Checklist 31: Lowering a Patient to the Floor
Special considerations:
Take this Lowering a Patient to the Floor course for more information on lowering a falling patient to the floor. Video 3.7Watch the video Assisted Fall by Kim Morris, Thompson Rivers University.
Additional VideosVideo 3.8Watch the video How to Use a Hammock Sling by Kim Morris, Thompson Rivers University. Video 3.9Watch the video How to Use a Hygiene Sling by Kim Morris, Thompson Rivers University. How can you help your clients reduce their risk of falling?Encourage your client to exercise
Those three things decrease the risk of falls. The CDC says everyone should exercise at least 150 hours a week, including seniors. Take your client on walks; encourage them to go to tai chi, yoga, or water aerobics.
How can you protect a patient from risk of falls?Maintain call light within reach. Keep the patient's personal possessions within patient safe reach. Have sturdy handrails in patient bathrooms, room, and hallway. 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.
What interventions can be used to keep patients from falling?Follow the following safety interventions:
Secure locks on beds, stretcher, & wheel chair. Keep floors clutter/obstacle free (especially the path between bed and bathroom/commode). Place call light & frequently needed objects within patient reach. Answer call light promptly.
What strategies can the nurse use to prevent falls?Nurses described three primary strategies used to prevent falls: (a) identify patients at risk; (b) place bed/chair alarms on patients; and (c) run to alarms.
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