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Nursing Magazine Releases Special Report on Patient Fall Prevention

Fall accidents are the biggest causes of long-term injury and fatalities in hospitals and home care agencies in Los Angeles. Special actions for patient fall prevention should be taken.  American Nurse Today has published a special report titled “Special Report: Best Practices for Falls Reduction: a Practical Guide.”  The report has been published in the March issue of American Nurse Today.

The supplement includes information on how to assess patients for risks.  It also contains information about how nurses can create and maintain a comprehensive fall reduction program in hospitals and home care facilities, and how they can choose and operate technology that can be used to prevent falls and ensure patient safety.  This document is illustrated with case studies that offer hospital and home care staff examples of practical approaches that have been taken to prevent falls.

The supplement has been developed with inputs from fall prevention experts in the industry, including those from Stanford Hospital and Clinics in Palo Alto California.  The supplement is available at the American Nurse Today website.  According to Pamela Cipriano, who is editor-in-chief of American Nurse Today, approximately 50% of all hospitalized patients are at risk of fall accidents.  About half of those who suffer a fall in a hospital are at risk of injury.  Elderly patients may be at an especially increased risk of fall accidents and serious injuries from these.  Therefore, fall prevention must be a priority at hospitals and elder care facilities.

There are several factors that increase an elder patient’s chances of suffering a fall.  For instance, elderly people suffer from poor vision that may cause them to miss obstacles in their path.  They also suffer from balance problems and poor gait that lowers coordination and increases the risk of a fall.  Besides, elderly persons are more likely to suffer from muscle weakness, degenerative joint diseases of the hips and knees, and foot problems that enhance fall risks.

Not all elders are at the same risk of falls.  Falls risks may differ depending on the person’s health and medical condition, and other external circumstances like the lighting in the area, removal of hazardous floor conditions like slippery flooring and clutter.  Even if an elderly person has good medical health, vision and no problems with gait or balance, his risks of suffering a fall increase if he is in an unsafe environment.

Los Angeles slip and fall accident lawyers have typically found that physical rehabilitation can reduce an elder’s risk of a fall.  This includes the use of exercises that are targeted to correct gait impairment and increased stability.  Besides, a person can use canes or walkers to increase stability and reduce fall risks.  Besides, care must be taken to ensure that the person’s home environment is completely free from fall hazards.  Slippery floors can also increase the risk of slip and fall accidents.  Flooring must have traction to reduce risks.  Many fall accidents occur in bathrooms, and these areas must be equipped with grab bars, shower rails and bath mats.

 

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