Check-list to cut hospital falls
Wednesday October 19th, 2016
Physicians have launched a drive to reduce the rate of falls in hospitals through advice to patients and families.
A
guide from the Royal College of Physicians offers a check-list for patients
to help make them safe getting out of bed.
The aim is to reduce the 600 falls a day reported in acute hospitals and mental health trusts. About seven of these result in serious injuries, the college warns.
Its advice includes using exercises to improve circulation when getting out of bed or standing up.
It sets out how to use walking aids safely and suggests ensuring the environment at the side of the bed is uncluttered.
Patients should ensure their glasses and walking aids are at hand when they stand.
The guide also sets out when to ask for help.
Patients are told to inform medical staff if they have fallen in the last year or if they are worried about falling or feel dizzy.
Dr Shelagh O’Riordan, Clinical lead for the National Audit of Inpatient Falls said: “The RCP falls prevention guide informs patients and their families about the need to be ‘falls aware’.
"It encourages them to be alert to risks and how these risks can be minimised. It also covers measures that hospital staff should take to reduce the risk of patient falls.
“We hope the guide will give patients and their families the confidence to speak to doctors and nurses about any concerns they might have and encourage them to be pro-active in helping prevent people falling and hurting themselves while they are being treated in hospital.”
Tags: A&E | Elderly Health | NHS | UK News
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