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PREVENTING FALLS

PREVENTING FALLS. -. Most occur in bedrooms and bathrooms. Causes of falls include: Throw rugs poor lighting cluttered floors furniture that is out of place Pets underfoot Slippery floors Slippery bathtubs and showers The need to urinate. PREVENTING FALLS: HAND RAILS.

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PREVENTING FALLS

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  1. PREVENTING FALLS -

  2. Most occur in bedrooms and bathrooms. • Causes of falls include: • Throw rugs • poor lighting • cluttered floors • furniture that is out of place • Pets underfoot • Slippery floors • Slippery bathtubs and showers • The need to urinate

  3. PREVENTING FALLS: HAND RAILS • Handrails and grab bars used in • Hallways • Stairways • bathrooms • provide support • Persons who are weak or unsteady when walking • Sitting down on or getting up from a toilet • Getting in and out of the bathtub

  4. PREVENTING FALLS • The risk increases with age. • A history of falls increases the risk • Most occur in the evening • between 1800 (6:00 pm) and 2100 (9:00 pm). • more likely during shift changes.

  5. PREVENTING FALLS: BED RAILS • raised and lowered on hospital beds. • lock in place with levers, latches, or buttons. • half, three quarter, or full length. • nurse and the care plan tell you when to raise bed rails. • If needed keep up at all times, except when giving care

  6. PREVENTING FALLS: BED RAILS • Bed rails present hazards. • The person can fall when trying to climb over them. • The person cannot get out of bed to use the bathroom. • Entrapment is a risk. • Gaps can occur: • Between half-length rails • Between the rail and the headboard or footboard • Between the bed rail and the mattress • Injury or death can occur.

  7. PREVENTING FALLS: BED RAILS • Persons at greatest risk • confused or disoriented • Are restrained (Chapter 11) • Are small in size • Have poor muscle control • Bed rails are considered restraints under OBRA and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

  8. PREVENTING FALLS: BED RAILS • rules • cannot be used unless needed to treat a person’s medical symptoms. • person or legal representative must give consent for raised bed rails. • The need must be carefully noted in the medical record and care plan.

  9. PREVENTING FALLS: BED RAILS • Accrediting agencies and many states have standards for bed rail use. • The procedures in this book include using bed rails to help learn correct use • nurse, care plan, and assignment sheet tell you who uses them

  10. PREVENTING FALLS: BED RAILS • Focus on children: bed rails • The space between crib rail slats must be no more than 2 3/8 inches. • If larger, the baby’s head can get caught. • The baby can suffocate and die. • If the mattress is smaller than the crib, gaps occur between: (1) The crib rail and the mattress (2) The crib rail and the headboard (3) The crib rail and the footboard • Two adult fingers should fit between these spaces. • Larger spaces can trap the baby. • The baby can suffocate and die.

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