Fall Prevention: Fall Risk Monitoring Strategies

Falls are a major problem for patients* in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Some 3 to 20% of inpatients fall at least once during their hospitalization. In long-term care settings, up to 75% of patient’s experience one or more falls. Falls are associated with significant physical complications ranging from minor bruises and sprains to more serious events, such as hip and other fractures, spinal cord and brain injury. Given the extent and consequences associated with patient falls, it’s important that facilities address the problem of falls. 

* The term ‘patients’ is used to refer to both acute care patients and long-term care residents.

In order to reduce the risk of falls, caregivers need to understand the conditions under which falls occur and the most frequent or common factors associated with fall risk. Approximately 10% of falls occur because of sudden medical illness (i.e., fainting or dizziness) or “accidental” trips and slips. In most instances, these falls cannot be predicted and, thereby, are not preventable. The majority of falls, however, are due to a host of underlying internal and/or external factors.

Objectives

1. List the reasons for fall risk monitoring.
2. Describe the techniques for communicating fall risk.
3. Explain the strategies for monitoring fall risk. 

Curriculum

Chapter 1: Introduction

• Internal risk factors
• External risk factors

Chapter 2: Fall Risk Monitoring 

• Determining Fall Risk Levels

Chapter 3: Communicating Risk

• Safety Education
• Flagging
• Safety Huddles 
• Hand Offs
• Tools and Techniques to Assist in Handoffs
• Barriers to effective handoffs

Chapter 4: Monitoring Strategies

• High Fall Risk Conditions/Circumstances
• Safety Rounds
• Eyes and Ears Program
• Sitter Program
• Fall Alarms

Chapter 5: Deciding on Monitoring Strategies

Summary