Tools To Step Up Your Fall Prevention Efforts

Fall is officially around the corner, and now is the perfect time to take a close look at your home or facility's fall prevention efforts. Falls are a serious problem in nursing homes, with roughly 1,800 residents dying each year from fall-related injuries.

Preventing falls requires implementing interventions at the organizational, staff and resident levels. There are also a number of products on the market designed to help reduce falls and fall-related injuries, including:

Fall mats:  These mats are typically placed at the bedside and help to absorb the impact from falls and prevent serious injury.

Alarm/sensor pad systems: These two-piece systems can be placed in chairs or beds to alert staff when residents at risk of falls are on the move.

Non-skid slippers: These slippers have slip-resistant soles. Many facilities use a color-coding system to indicate which residents are at a high risk of falling.

Bathtub safety mats: Typically held in place by suction cups, these mats create a slip-resistant surface during bathing.

Grab bars: Mounted either horizontally or vertically, grab bars provide additional support and balance.

Raised toilet seats: Elevating a toilet seat's height can make it easier for the resident to sit and stand.

Falls are one of the most challenging problems in long-term care, and tag F-323 is one of the most common deficiencies in the nation. We've included guidance below on what to do after a fall occurs as well as how to prevent them from happening in the first place.

It's important to take proper action following a fall, including asking the resident and/or staff:

• "Where were you trying to go?"
• "What were you trying to get?"
• "What were you trying to do?"

"How did this happen?"

Determining what may have caused or contributed to the fall and revising the resident's care plan and/or facility practices to reduce the likelihood of another fall is crucial.

Stay Connected!

Related Articles

• Getting your Home Ready for an Outpatient
• Unintentional Death from Bed Falls
• Significant Weight Loss in Alzheimer's Patients and How the Color Red Can Help
• Broken Hips: Preventing A Fall Can Save Your Life

<   Back to Articles