Fall Prevention: Bed, Bedroom, and Bathroom Safety - Online Inservice

The majority of falls in long-term care facilities occur in the bed, around the bed, in the bathroom, or between the bed and bathroom. Many falls occur when residents try to get out of bed on their own. These falling events are associated with significant physical and psychological complications.

This course is designed to assist long-term care staff in understanding why residents fall out of bed, and in the bedrooms/bathroom, and designing strategies aimed at preventing bed, and bedroom/bathroom falls.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1.  List risk factors for bed and bathroom falls and falls in the resident’s bedroom.
2.  Describe environmental factors contributing to bed and bedroom/bathroom falls.
3.  State 2 strategies to reduce the risk of bed and bedroom/bathroom falls and injury.
4.  Recall devices used to guard against bed and toilet falls. 
5.  Explain the importance of a performance-based assessment to prevent bed and bedroom/bathroom falls.

Curriculum

Chapter 1: Introduction

• Risk Factors
• Assessment
• Care Plan

Chapter 2: Beds

• Causes of Bed-Related Falls
• Bed Height
• Bed Supports
• Mattresses
• Bed Wheels
• Side Rails

Chapter 3: Strategies to Reduce Bed Falls and Injury

• Nurse Call Bells
• Sitters
• Cushioned Floor Mats
• Hip Protectors
• Low Beds
• Body Pillows
• Fall Alarms

Chapter 4: The Bedroom 

• Pathways
• Lighting
• Floor Surfaces
• Storage Areas
• Seating
• Tables
• High Fall Risk Room Set Up

Chapter 5: The Bathroom

• Floor Surfaces
• Fixture Support
• Toilets
• Bathtubs/ Showers
• Bathroom Checklist