Fall Prevention Nursing Resources

Fall prevention is an important part of patient safety. Health care facilities utilize a variety of fall prevention resources, including devices and programs that can help patients avoid falls. Injuries such as bone fractures, bruises and cuts can be prevented when the risk of falling is decreased.

Alarms

• Alarms are one useful resource used in fall prevention. There are multiple versions including bed, chair, motion and pressure alarms. Some alarms use magnets attached to clips that can be attached onto a patient's clothing. If the patient attempts to move too far, the magnet will come off, causing an alarm to sound. Pressure alarms can be used with chairs and wheelchairs. These alarms sound when the pressure detected on the seating pad lessens. Motion alarms can be placed on the floor next to the bed. If the patient tries to get out of bed, the alarm will detect motion and sound an alert.

Restraints

• Restraints help prevent falls. They include bedside rails, lap buddies and seat belts. Side rails are available in multiple versions including full and half sizes. Full side rails run the entire length of the bed. Half rails are typically placed on the head of the bed. Rails act as a reminder to patients to call for help before attempting to get out of bed. Seat belts can be used in chairs and wheelchairs. They are available in different sizes so they can be used on all patients, and can be fixed permanently or for temporary use. A lap buddy looks like a specially shaped cushion that is covered in vinyl. It is designed to slide into the opening located in the arms of a wheelchair. When in place, a lap buddy prevents falls by reminding the patient to ask for help prior to getting out of the wheelchair.

Signs

• Nurses can post signs that remind patients to ask for help when they want to get up.

  Signs are another resource nurses can use to prevent patient falls. They can be customized for each patient. Place signs in locations the patient will see easily to be most effective. Reminders such as "Use your call light," "Please lower bed to its lowest position" or "Ask for help" can be placed around the patient's room.

Patient Checks

• Nurses often perform scheduled patient checks as a measure to prevent patients from falling. Ensuring the patient has her call light, lowering the bed to its lowest position and walking the halls and looking in on patients to see that they are in their bed or chair are useful measures. Patient checks can be scheduled at 15-, 30- or 60-minute intervals.