Preventing Patient Falls ‘Studies show that falls are the, single biggest cause of hry to pallens staying at healthcare facilities. Most patlents fall in thalr’ rooms, elther within fest of the bed or on the way to the bathroom. In adiafition to practicing safe moving and transfer techniques, you can do a lotto prevent patient falis by paying special attention to safety patient rooms. Keep On Top Of Spills Basic housekeeping s the best way to prevent patient falls, Patients ‘often slip oF tip on water, urna, or food that s on the floor. Keep an ‘eye on patients whom you know are suffering from incontinencs or who ofien spi or drop things, and clean Up spills 2s soon 2s you ses them. Prevent Reaching Keep patient belongings end call buttons close to the bed so that ppallents don't have to reach too far for them. Make sure call buttons are ‘also within ech In the bathroom— Close tothe fot end shower. Nighttime Safety Lift up safety ral on bed before Patient goss to sleep. Encourage Patients to use the bathroom before they go to bed. This can reduce rightlime fas, Mae eure that Patients who.might need to getup ft right have edequato lighting and ‘walking elds, if needed. Remind Patients to put slippers with non-slip ‘soles by the bed before they go ‘to sleep. (GET AS CLOSE TO THE PATIENT AS POSSIBLE. SUPPORT THE PATIENT WITH. ‘YOURBODY BY GETTING YOUR HIPS UNDER HIS OR HERS AND HOLDING THE PATIENT IN A FIRM HUG. {fA Patient Falls ‘When a patient starts to fll, your first response may be to try catch him or her. But catching 2 faling patient is elmost impossibl, and can injure both of you. Instead, go. ‘down with the fall to siow the patient down and cushion the impact. > Get es close to the patient as possible. Support the patient with your body by ‘getting your hips under his oF herg and heleing the patient Infirm hug. > Think about protecting the patient’ hed dung the fe. > Ifyou're near awall, gently push the patient agalnst it to slow the fall. us Altera fll, don't ty to fit the patient off the oor by yoursell. The Patient mey feel dlzzy orfalnt, orbe injured. Instoad, call for help and tend to any iniries before moving the patient When i's time to move the patent back to a gumey or bed, got help—youl probably need at Teast four people to move a fallen patlent up off tha floor. ‘Know Your Patients Patients who are over 65, agitaled, ‘weakened, or taking a comiblrallon cof medications are more fey to fal. lemay help to make a mental nots (of patients with these or her ‘temporary or permanent conditions, so that you can make a special effort to help prevent them from faling. Ey rent aremaOLtE