Hospital covers bases to help prevent falls
Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis puts a special emphasis on educating its patients and staff about falls.
The hospital has three online modules for staff that target falls prevention. One is for nurses, one is for patient care technicians, and one is for unit secretaries. The modules cover the definition of a fall; consequences; where, when, and how falls happen; risk factors; guidelines for assessing patients for risk factors; basic safety measures for normal- and high-risk patients; documentation; what to do when a patient falls; understanding falls and injury rates; and a quiz.
"These materials were all created by me based on a multitude of best-practice guidelines that are available in the literature," says Eileen Costantinou, MSN, RN, BC, a consultant for falls prevention and restraint reduction, and program coordinator for the Center for Practice Excellence at Barnes-Jewish.
Additionally, a section on the preoperative nursing assessment addresses fall risk status. The assessment asks a few questions about functional status, such as whether an assistive device is required, for example, and then the nurse decides if the patient is at high or low risk for falls. Nurses also assess whether patients are alert and oriented, have stable vital signs, have signs/symptoms of dizziness, and are taking pain control. High-risk patients are given a prevention of injury care plan and fall precautions. Side rails are put up, recliners are put in the recline position, and patients are instructed to use the call light if they need to use the restroom or need other assistance. Additionally, nurses have the option of placing a note on the patient's chart and the IV pool to indicate the patient is a high risk for falls.
Additionally, the staff members address falls in the patient education brochure, titled "A Pact and Our Promise." That brochure says:
"You may be surprised to know that falls are the leading cause of accidents for people over the age of 65, and the main cause of serious injury in hospitals and long-term care facilities. But, there are things you can do to make your hospital stay safer:
- If you have a history of falling at home, please tell your nurse. This way, your nurse and the rest of the staff will know to check on you more frequently to make sure you're OK.
- If you are dizzy, weak, or unsteady on your feet, please tell your nurse or a member of the hospital staff. Do not get up without help — even if you are just getting up to go to the bathroom.
- If you have been told by your doctor or nurse to use a walker or a cane, you should learn to use it correctly and use it all the time.
It's a smart idea for all patients to ask someone to assist them whenever they get up, and to make use of assistive devices such as walkers, canes, and wheelchairs.
By telling the staff you have a history of falling, they can take extra precautions to better ensure that you don't fall. These precautions may include:
- moving you to a patient room closer to a nurses' station;
- putting the side rails up on your bed when you are in it;
- making sure you wear nonskid footwear when you are out of bed;
- putting night lights in your room so you don't trip at night.
Each hospital has its own way of identifying patients who have a history of falling. So don't be concerned if you see paper cutouts in the shape of leaves or other colorful items on your door and throughout your room. They're there to help remind everyone about the risk of falling and how to help keep you from falling."
Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis puts a special emphasis on educating its patients and staff about falls.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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