August 2012 Volume 1, Issue 7
UMMC Nursing Newsletter TAKE CHARGE OF PREVENTING FALLS IT'S EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY! June 2012: Inpatient falls displayed by day of week
DID YOU KNOW?
During FY 12: UMMC had 418 inpatient falls and 102 of those resulted in Patient injury (24%)
What can you do to help prevent patient falls? 1. Frequent assessment and reassessment of patient risk -it can change based on clinical status! 2. Implement and maintain interventions to prevent falls: • Obtain information from nurses about the fall risk of your patients: standard, high, or critical. • Have a conversation regarding what interventions to prevent falls need to be in place • Make sure interventions are “on” ; for high and critical risk, bed and chair exit alarms are strongly advised to alert staff to assist patient • Educate your patients and families about why and how you are preventing falls. 3. Communication between caregivers, patients, and families is one of the most important interventions: • Include patient’s fall status information during shift report and at doorway or bedside. • PCTs, CNA, MHA and other caregivers must know the patients status, observe patients’ activities, and collaborate on maintaining precautionary interventions in place. • Encourage patient and family to partner with you by using the script "Call, Don't Fall" at the end of each contact with patients and families • Explain to patients and families that falls are likely to happen when patients use the bathroom or are getting out of bed/chair, so remember to teach your patients:
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