Chapter 3. Safe Patient Handling, Positioning, and Transfers Show
Patient falls are the most reported patient safety events in British Columbia and account for 40% of all adverse events (BCPSLS, 2015). Falls are a major priority in health care, and health care providers are responsible for identifying, managing, and eliminating potential hazards to patients. All patient-handling activities (positioning, transfers, and ambulation) pose a risk to patients and health care providers. Older adults may be at increased risk for falls due to impaired mental status, decreased strength, impaired balance and mobility, and decreased sensory perception (Titler, Shever, Kanak, Picone, & Qin, 2011). Other patients may be at risk due to gait problems, cognitive ability, visual problems, urinary frequency, generalized weakness, and cognitive dysfunction. Specific treatments and medications may cause hypotension or drowsiness, which increase a patient’s risk for falls (Hook & Winchel, 2006). Fall Prevention StrategiesAll clients should be assessed for risk factors, and necessary prevention measures should be implemented as per agency policy. Table 3.7 lists factors that affect patient safety and general measures to prevent falls in health care.
Lowering a Patient to the FloorA patient may fall while ambulating or being transferred from one surface to another. If a patient begins to fall from a standing position, do not attempt to stop the fall or catch the patient. Instead, control the fall by lowering the patient to the floor. Checklist 31 lists the steps to assisting a patient to the floor to minimize injury to patient and health care provider (PHSA, 2010). Checklist 31: Lowering a Patient to the Floor
Special considerations:
Take this Lowering a Patient to the Floor course for more information on lowering a falling patient to the floor. Video 3.7Watch the video Assisted Fall by Kim Morris, Thompson Rivers University.
Additional VideosVideo 3.8Watch the video How to Use a Hammock Sling by Kim Morris, Thompson Rivers University. Video 3.9Watch the video How to Use a Hygiene Sling by Kim Morris, Thompson Rivers University. What is the first action a nurse should take after a client has fallen?After the Fall
Stay with the patient and call for help. Check the patient's breathing, pulse, and blood pressure. If the patient is unconscious, not breathing, or does not have a pulse, call a hospital emergency code and start CPR.
Which of the following action should a nurse take to assess a client?The first action the nurse should take when using the nursing process is to assess the client; therefore, the priority action for the nurse to take is to determine why the client is refusing the treatment.
Which recommendations should be included in a teaching plan for preventing falls in the home quizlet?Rationale: A teaching plan for fall prevention in the home should include the recommendations: avoid climbing on a chair or table to reach items that are too high to reach; use a night light; remove clutter from walkways; and keep electrical and telephone cords against the wall and out of walkways.
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