MNAMosby’s Long Term Care Assistant Chapter 13Preventing Falls

Preventing Falls

Most common accident in LTCF

Most occur between 6 pm - 9 pm

Many prevention actions

Preventing Falls

Prevention actions:Frequent observation

Good lighting

Hand rails

No rugs

Carpets are one color

Non-slip surfaces

No clutter in rooms or halls

Armrest on chairs

Nonskid foot ware

Preventing Falls

Prevention actions:Proper fitting clothes

Glasses and hearing aids applied

Signal light within reach

Chair Alarm – answer immediately

Companionship

Assistance with elimination needs at regular intervals

Barriers for wandering

Bed in lowest horizontal position

Brakes on beds and chairs

Preventing Falls

Many prevention actions:

Side rails

Check care plan

Entrapment?

False imprisonment?

Possible Solution?

Place mattress on floor

Preventing Falls

Remember

Side rails are considered restraints by OBRA

Must obtain consent to use rails

Need for SR must be noted in care plan

Bed bar

Preventing Falls

Gait belts or transfer belt is used to support unsteady person

Ambulating?

Gait belt

Moving?

Transfere belt

Apply over clothing

Review

Adequate lightening helps prevent falls.

True False

Review

The risk of falls decreases with age

True False

Review

The greatest risk from bedrails is

entrapment

You are assisting a resident to the bathroom. He starts to fall. What should you do?

Ease the person to the floor

Review

Persons at risk for falling should stay in their rooms

True False

Review

OBRA requires the use of bedrails for all patients.

True False

Review

Area rugs help prevent falls.

True False

Questions?