The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) includes fall prevention within patient safety culture of the organization and encourages hospitals to evaluate the issues and environmental modifications that are necessary to prevent falls. The National Patient Safety Goal of the JCAHO stipulates healthcare organizations to regularly assess and reassess the patient’s risk of falling including potential risks with regard to his medical treatment, and subsequently address the identified risks.

Prevention of falls training aims at providing an educational program to enhance falls preventions and to enable health care employees to be aware of the risks and management of falls.

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Prevention of falls training aims at making you aware:

– about the magnitude and consequences of the said problem

– that falls can be prevented

– that fall preventions measures are effective

– that there many factors that may cause falls, and

– of the various risk factors and management strategies associated with falls

– that all healthcare employees must join forces to prevent and reduce the incidence of injuries and falls.

Healthcare employees benefit greatly from this training program as they learn about various measures that help in preventing patients from falling. Here are some fall prevention measures for all patients.

– When a patient is first admitted to the hospital, orient him properly to the hospital environment.

– Make sure the call bell and bedside stand is within his reach.

– Keep the pathway free of obstructions and spills.

– Make sure all the equipment wires are to the sides and are not obstructing the way.

– The bed should be in the lowest position with locked brakes if the patient is left unattended for a good amount of time.

– Consult the doctor to determine the safest way to use side rails. In some case side rails on all four sides is deemed a mechanical restraint and is only acceptable in extreme cases.

– If the patient has to get out of bed, make sure he has non-skid slippers to wear.

– In the evenings, the nightlights should be turned on in all the patient rooms.

– All the patient’s necessary items must be kept within reach.

– If needed, patient will have to be assisted to the toilet.

– Nurses must evaluate the usefulness of medicines that seem to increase patient’s tendency to fall, for e.g. anti-hypertensives, sedatives, diuretics, and so on. Consult with the doctor in-charge as appropriate.

– Consult with doctors and avail physiotherapy and occupational therapy services patients with balance or gait problems.

– It is essential that the patient’s ambulation status be assess daily.

– If the patient complains of vertigo or dizziness he must be monitored for Orthostatic Hypotension and taught how to rise slowly while getting out of bed.

– Encourage the patient to use assistive devices like cane, walker, etc. as appropriate.

– Educational materials about fall prevention techniques are available which should be used to teach patient and their families.

These measures will protect the patients and prevent and lower the incidence of falls. It is evident that Prevention of Falls training can definitely reduce the number of falls and injuries occurring in the hospital and at home.

For more information, please visit our Prevention of Falls Training website.

For more information, please visit our Prevention of Falls Training website http://www.hipaaexams.com/prevention-of-falls.asp

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our Prevention of Falls Training website.

Category: Education
Keywords: Prevention of Falls Training