Fall Prevention in Hospitals in Children

Fall Prevention in Hospitals in Children – Instructions

Falls can cause serious injury and harm, but they can be prevented. It is important to understand what you and your child’s health care team can do to prevent your child from falling. If your child does fall 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 child’s risk for falling in the hospital. These include:

  • Being younger than 3 years old.
  • Having trouble with balance.
  • Having surgery.
  • Having tubes in place, such as IV lines or catheters.
  • Being in the hospital for several days.

Other risk factors for falls in a hospital include:

  • Having fallen in the past.
  • Having trouble thinking clearly (cognitive impairment).
  • Being a male.
  • Having trouble with balance or walking.

What are some strategies for preventing falls?

If your child is 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 what kind of help your child needs when moving around. Make sure that your child understands when they need to ask for help.
  • Have a plan in place for your child’s health care team to watch your child when you are not there.
  • Have your child wear nonskid footwear when he or she is out of bed.
  • Do not let your child climb on furniture or other hospital equipment.
  • Help your child get out of bed slowly. Encourage your child to sit at the side of the bed for a few minutes before standing up.

What does the hospital staff do to help prevent my child from falling?

Hospitals have systems in place to prevent falls and accidents, which may involve:

  • Discussing your child’s fall risks and making a personalized fall prevention plan.
  • Checking in on your child regularly:
    • To offer help with moving around.
    • To assess any changes in fall risk.
  • Using an alarm on your child’s hospital bed. This is an alarm that goes off if your child gets out of bed and forgets 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.
  • Having a staff person stay with your child (one-on-one observation), even when they are using the bathroom. This is for your child’s safety.
  • Video monitoring. This allows a staff member to come help your child if he or she needs help.
  • Removing unnecessary equipment or tubes from your child’s room to lower the risk of tripping.
  • Using safety equipment, such as:
    • Walkers, crutches, and other walking devices for support.
    • A belt around your child’s waist.
    • Safety rails on beds and cribs.
    • Cushions on the floor next to the bed.

What actions can I take to lower my child’s risk of falls?

  • Check in regularly with your child’s health care provider or pharmacist to review all of the medicines that your child takes.
  • Talk with a physical therapist or trainer if recommended by your child’s health care provider. They can help your child improve his or her strength, balance, and endurance.

Summary

  • Ask what kind of help your child needs when moving around. Make sure that your child understands when they need to ask for help.
  • Do notlet your child climb on furniture or other hospital equipment.
  • 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 your child falls, tell the hospital staff. This is important.
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