Fall Prevention: Guidance on Utilizing Fall Alarms
Contact Hours: 1
Cost: $10.00
Fall alarms serve as an "early warning system"; they alert nursing staff when “fall risk” patients (*) are engaging in activities that are likely to result in falls. Fall alarms can play a vital role in helping staff to prevent falls. However, the inappropriate selection and/or misuse of fall alarms may actually predispose patients to falls and injuries. The purpose of this course is to provide hospitals and long-term care facilities with guidance on the appropriate utilization of fall alarms in reducing fall risk.
(*) The term ‘patient’ is used to refer to both acute hospital patients and long-term care residents
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
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Discuss the appropriate clinical utilization of fall alarms
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List criteria for the appropriate selection of fall alarms
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Explain the maintenance of effective fall alarms
Curriculum
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Fall Prevention Process
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Fall Risk Assessment
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Care Plan
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Post Fall Assessment
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Follow Up
Chapter 3: Types of Fall Alarms
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Pressure Pad Alarms
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Pull-String Alarms
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Floor Mat Alarms
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Built-In Alarms
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How Fall Alarms Work
Chapter 4: Common Uses of Fall Alarms
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Warn Nursing Staff
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Warn Patients
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Alternative to Nurse Call Bells
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Assessment Tool
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Nursing Aid
Chapter 5: Indications for Fall Alarms
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Criteria
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Risk Factors
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Periods of High Fall Risk
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Clinical Process Uses
Chapter 6: Selection of Fall Alarms
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Identify a Multidisciplinary Team
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Identify Patients Benefiting from Alarms:
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Identify Specific Patient Groups
Chapter 7: Choosing the Right Alarm
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Potential Patient Conditions Interfering with Fall Alarms
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Choosing the “Right” Fall Alarm for Staff
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Purchasing the “Right” Fall Alarm
Chapter 8: Maintaining Effective Fall Alarm Systems
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Staff Error
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Organizational Error
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Alarm Error
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Patient Error
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Strategies for Improving the Effectiveness of Fall Alarms
Chapter 9: Auditing Fall Alarms
Chapter 10: Keys to Success
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Organizational Support
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Staff Education
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Fall Alarm Maintenance
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Audits
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Nurse Champion
Chapter 11: Are Fall Alarms Over-Used?
Chapter 12: Case Studies
Chapter 13: Appendix