Fall Prevention in Hospitals -Instructions
Being a patient in the hospital puts you at risk for falling. Falls can cause serious injury and harm, but they can be prevented.
It is important to understand what puts you at risk for falling and what you and your health care team can do to prevent you from falling. If you or a loved one falls at the hospital, it is important to tell hospital staff about it.
What increases the risk for falls?
Certain conditions and treatments may increase your risk of falling in the hospital. These include:
- Being in an unfamiliar environment, especially when using the bathroom at night.
- Having surgery.
- Being on bed rest.
- Taking many medicines or certain types of medicines, such as sleeping pills.
- Having tubes in place, such as IV lines or catheters.
Other risk factors for falls in a hospital include:
- Having difficulty with hearing or vision.
- Having a change in thinking or behavior, such as confusion.
- Having depression.
- Having trouble with balance.
- Being a male.
- Feeling dizzy.
- Needing to use the toilet frequently.
- Having fallen during the past three months.
- Having low blood pressure.
What are some strategies for preventing falls?
If you or a loved one has to stay in the hospital:
- Ask about which fall prevention strategies will be in place. Do not hesitate to speak up if you notice that the fall prevention plan has changed.
- Ask for help moving around, especially after surgery or when feeling unwell.
- If you have been asked to call for help when getting up, do notget up by yourself. Asking for help with getting up is for your safety, and the staff is there to help you.
- Wear nonskid footwear.
- Get up slowly, and sit at the side of the bed for a few minutes before standing up.
- Keep items you need, such as the nurse call button or a phone, close to you so that you do not need to reach for them.
- Wear eyeglasses or hearing aids if you have them.
- Have someone stay in the hospital with you or your loved one.
- Ask if sleeping pills or other medicines that can cause confusion are necessary.
What does the hospital staff do to help prevent falls?
Hospitals have systems in place to prevent falls and accidents, which may involve:
- Discussing your fall risks and making a personalized fall prevention plan.
- Checking in regularly to see if you need help.
- Placing an arm band on your wrist or a sign near your room to alert other staff of your needs.
- Using an alarm on your hospital bed. This is an alarm that goes off if you get out of bed and forget to call for help.
- Keeping the bed in a low and locked position.
- Keeping the area around the bed and bathroom well-lit and free from clutter.
- Keeping your room quiet, so that you can sleep and be well-rested.
- Using
safety equipment, such as:
- A belt around your waist.
- Walkers, crutches, and other devices for support.
- Safety beds, such as low beds or cushions on the floor next to the bed.
- Having a staff person stay with you (one-on-one observation), even when you are using the bathroom. This is for your safety.
- Using video monitoring. This allows a staff member to come to help you if you need help.
What other actions can I take to lower my risk of falls?
- Check in regularly with your health care provider or pharmacist to review all of the medicines that you take.
- Make sure that you have a regular exercise program to stay fit. This will help you maintain your balance.
- Talk with a physical therapist or trainer if recommended by your health care provider. They can help you to improve your strength, balance, and endurance.
- If
you are over age 65:
- Ask your health care provider if you need a calcium or vitamin D supplement.
- Have your eyes and hearing checked every year.
- Have your feet checked every year.
Where to find more information
You can find more information about fall prevention from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/steadi
Summary
- Being in an unfamiliar environment, such as the hospital, increases your risk for falling.
- If you have been asked to call for help when getting up, do notget up by yourself. Asking for help with getting up is for your safety, and the staff is there to help you.
- Ask about which fall prevention strategies will be in place. Do not hesitate to speak up if you notice that the fall prevention plan has changed.
- If you or a loved one falls, tell the hospital staff. This is important.
