Section 2 assisting with fall prevention

Elsevier items and derived items © 2014, 2010 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Chapter 10
Assisting With Fall Prevention

Risk of Falling
 The risk of falling increases with age.
 A history of falls increases the risk of falling
again.
 Most falls occur:
 In patient and resident rooms and in bathrooms
 Between 1800 (6:00 PM) and 2100 (9:00 PM)
 During shift changes
 Agencies have fall prevention programs.
 The care plan lists measures for the person’s
risk factors.
2

Bed Rails
 A bed rail (side rail) is a device that serves as
a guard or barrier along the side of the bed.
 The nurse and care plan tell you when to
raise bed rails.
 If a person needs bed rails, keep them up at
all times except when giving bedside nursing
care.
3

Bed Rails, cont'd.
 Bed rails present hazards.
 The person can fall when trying to climb over
them.
 The person cannot get out of bed or use the
bathroom.
 Entrapment is a risk.
 Bed rails are considered to be restraints if:
 The person cannot get out of bed.
 The person cannot lower them without help.
4

Bed Rails, cont'd.
 Bed rails cannot be used unless needed to treat
a person’s medical symptoms.
 They must be in the person’s best interests.
 The person or legal representative must give consent
for raised bed rails.
 The need for bed rails is carefully noted in the
person’s medical record and the care plan.
 The nurse, the care plan, and your assignment
sheet tell you which people use bed rails.
 If a person uses bed rails, check the person
often.
 Report to the nurse that you checked the person.
5

Hand Rails and Grab Bars
 Hand rails are in hallways and stairways.
 They give support to persons who are weak or
unsteady when walking.
 Grab bars (safety bars) are in bathrooms and
in shower/tub rooms.
 They provide support for:
• Sitting down or getting up from a toilet
• Getting in and out of the shower or tub
6

Wheel Locks
 Bed legs have wheels. Each wheel has a lock
to prevent the bed from moving.
 Wheels are locked at all times except when
moving the bed.
 Make sure bed wheels are locked:
• When giving bedside care
• When you transfer a person to and from the bed
 Wheelchair and stretcher wheels are locked
during transfers.
7

Transfer/Gait Belts
 A transfer belt (gait belt) is a device used to
support a person who is unsteady or
disabled.
 It helps prevent falls and injuries.
 The belt goes around the person’s waist.
 Grasp under the belt:
• To support the person during the transfer
• When assisting the person to walk
8

The Falling Person
 A person may start to fall when standing or
walking.
 Do not try to prevent the fall.
 If a person starts to fall, ease him or her to the
floor.
 Do not let the person move or get up before the
nurse checks for injuries.
 If you find a person on the floor, do not move the
person.
 Stay with the person, and call for the nurse.
9

Section 2 assisting with fall prevention

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Section 2 assisting with fall prevention