Reducing the Risk of Patient Falls

Topic

Outline

Teaching Methods/Tools

Comments

Introduction

Present the risk, incidence and healthcare costs related to patient slips/falls in US.

Lecture/Slides

Self-study packet also available from NurseLearn

Performance Objectives

Discuss how participants will be evaluated to determine mastery of material

Program Objectives/written evaluation (if applicable)

Risk Factors

Who is at risk – list common risk factors seen in patient falls

Lecture/Slides

Intrinsic risk factors (e.g. age-related changes, physical limitation, history of falls, cognitive factors,etc.)

Lecture/Slides

Extrinsic factors (e.g. medical devices, environment, etc.)

Lecture/Slides

Assessment

Review agency policy/procedure regarding frequency and elements in risk assessment.

Lecture/policy/procedure

Review assessment tool used by agency

Lecture/assessment tool

Evaluating mobility

Lecture/slides

Fall Precautions

Review agency policy/procedure regarding fall precautions

Lecture/policy/procedure

Common precautions helpful in fall prevention (e.g. furnishing, footwear, illumination, communication, floor surfaces, observation, etc.)

Lecture/slides

Re-Assessment

Review agency policy regarding re-assessment for changes in risk factors

Lecture/policy

Common factors associated with changes in risk factors (medication changes, invasive procedures, etc.)

Lecture/slides

If The Patient Falls

Review agency policy regarding documentation and reporting of falls

Lecture/slides

Review “SPLATT” method of ensuring all critical elements of a fall are documented

Lecture/Slides

Risk Management

Discuss agency policy regarding handling of incidents involving falls and patient injury –(reporting, forms used, etc.)

Lecture/policy/forms

The Team Approach

Discuss the roles of all personnel in the fall prevention program

Class discussion or lecture

Evaluation

Conduct evaluation of program participants for mastery of material

Written test (if applicable) or other evaluation tool

Ask program participants to evaluate presentation

Program evaluation tool