Jennifer Cellar – Fall Prevention Challenges: Real Solutions to Reduce Falls, Prevent Injuries and Limit Liability

Outline

How to Prevent Falls Before They OccurHow to Prevent Falls Before They Occur

• Who is likely to fall?Who is likely to fall?
• Which risk factors can we modify?Which risk factors can we modify?
• Precipitating causes – what to watch forPrecipitating causes – what to watch for
• Institutional barriers – avoiding 1:1sInstitutional barriers – avoiding 1:1s
• Important implications of co-morbiditiesImportant implications of co-morbidities
• The benefits of vitamin DThe benefits of vitamin D

Fall Risk AssessmentFall Risk Assessment

• Current guidelinesCurrent guidelines
• Who should we screen?Who should we screen?
• Multi-factorial causes of fallsMulti-factorial causes of falls
• Recommended fall risk assessmentsRecommended fall risk assessments

Fall Prevention StrategiesFall Prevention Strategies

• What works and what does notWhat works and what does not
• Addressing alarm fatigueAddressing alarm fatigue
• Avoiding 1:1sAvoiding 1:1s
• Effective evidence-based interventionsEffective evidence-based interventions
• Education & assistive devicesEducation & assistive devices

Putting Together a Successful Fall Prevention ProgramPutting Together a Successful Fall Prevention Program

• Patient-specific interventionsPatient-specific interventions
• Developing a multidisciplinary program: Roles & responsibilitiesDeveloping a multidisciplinary program: Roles & responsibilities
• Fall roundsFall rounds

Patient EvaluationPatient Evaluation

• HistoryHistory
• Physical examPhysical exam
• Evaluation tools (POMA tool, Get up and go test, Functional reach test, Berg balance test, Short physical performance battery)Evaluation tools (POMA tool, Get up and go test, Functional reach test, Berg balance test, Short physical performance battery)
• Diagnostic testsDiagnostic tests
• Review of Gait Disorders (video)Review of Gait Disorders (video)

What to do When a Patient Falls: Hands-On EvaluationWhat to do When a Patient Falls: Hands-On Evaluation

• Assess need for immediate medical careAssess need for immediate medical care
• Evaluate for acute illness/preceding factorsEvaluate for acute illness/preceding factors
• Communication with caregiversCommunication with caregivers
• Common injuriesCommon injuries
• Goals of careGoals of care

Difficult SituationsDifficult Situations

• Frequent fallers – when injury prevention is your goal!Frequent fallers – when injury prevention is your goal!
• Anticoagulation risksAnticoagulation risks
• Prolonged time on floorProlonged time on floor
• What to do when fractures occurWhat to do when fractures occur
• Head trauma managementHead trauma management

Preventing Risk and Limiting LiabilityPreventing Risk and Limiting Liability

• Home safety evaluationsHome safety evaluations
• Communication and documentationCommunication and documentation
• Quality improvement opportunitiesQuality improvement opportunities
• High-risk scenarios: Case studiesHigh-risk scenarios: Case studies
• Addressing family concerns with fallsAddressing family concerns with falls
• Managing poor outcomesManaging poor outcomes

Fall Prevention Plan DevelopmentFall Prevention Plan Development

• Apply what we have learnedApply what we have learned
• Solutions for your biggest challenges!Solutions for your biggest challenges!