Transcript Document

FALLS PREVENTION
WHAT IS A FALL
“A fall is an uncontrolled and undirected
occurrence in which the patient comes to
rest on the floor”
FALLS FACTS
• Those in residential care are at twice the
risk of those living in their own home.
• Most common location of falls is in the
resident’s bedroom, bathroom and
passageways
• The majority of falls are the result of
stumbling, tripping or slipping.
CONSEQUENCES OF FALLS
• Injuries – skin tears, fractures of hip, skull,
etc
• Increased morbidity due to complications.
• Cost of falls – emotional, physical and
financial
• loss of independence – restrict activity and
social isolation
FALLS PREVENTION
PROGRAMS
• Proactively raise awareness of risk factors
and preventing falls
• Work as a team to prevent falls
• Take part in audits to identify risks
• Reduce/remove hazards
• Report and document hazards you cannot
correct
EXTRINSIC RISK FACTORS
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Improper footwear
Unstable objects
Loose or frayed rugs
Poor, glary or inconsistent lighting
Cluttered environment
Wet slippery floors
Uneven floors
And many more
INTRINSIC RISK FACTORS
• Confusion/disorientation
• Restraint – actually weakens muscles
• Vision impairment – Cataracts
Macular degeneration
Hemianopia
Glaucoma
Diabetic Retinopathy
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Hearing impairment
Hypotension
Peripheral neuropathies
Lower extremities weakness from degenerative
diseases
Poor balance
Cardiac arrhythmias
Trans ischaemic attacks
Urinary frequency and urgency
Medications – sedatives
antipsychotics
INDICATORS OF RISK OF
FALLING
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Loose shoes
Loose clothing
Person is lost or confused
Person looks tired
Person is clutching on to things for support
Person is short of breath
And many more
SAFE FOOTWEAR
• Should be firm and well fitting but not too
tight
• Should be lace up, buckled or velcro
• Should be flat and broad based
• Soles should be flexible and not too thick.
(thick soles make it difficult to detect
changes in the ground)
SAFE FOOTWEAR CONT.
• Have non slip soles with a grip pattern. But
soles with grip can be a problem fro
residents with Parkinson’s who tend to
shuffle
• Shoes should be maintained
• Shoes should be cleaned regularly eg. They
can get a build up of oil, grit or grass.
FALLS PREVENTION
STRATEGIES
• Fully orientate resident to new surroundings
• Monitor residents overall condition in first
two weeks as this is the most vulnerable
time
• Ensure resident knows how to use call bell
• Have call bell accessible to resident
• Answer call bell promptly
• Place walking sticks or frames in an easily
accessible place
• Ensure resident has safe clothing and
footwear
• Has appropriate aids and uses them properly
• Teach resident and visitors basic rules for
safety
• Bed at its lowest height and brakes applied
• Encourage resident to walk frequently to
maintain muscle strength and improve
balance.
COPMPLETE FOOTWEAR AUDIT
by looking at the shoes provided and
evaluating there appropriateness