What to do when a patient falls?

[Nurse_Tricia]

Being a new nurse of just 2 months, I have been working in the LTC and have had 1 patient fall on my shift and another fall on my shift but was the other nurse's patient (although I was first to respond to her patient although she was closer but the latest 2 minute gossip was more important). The first patient I was told was lowered to the floor by the aid. Since I had only been working as a nurse for about 14 days, the other day nurses came to assist me. I guess I want to get more comfortable with what signs to look for and when do I leave them on the floor and not move and when to assist them up.

Obviously if they are in pain or obvious fx, I leave them on the floor and do not move them and call 911. But what do I do for someone who fell and says they don't have any pain? I know I do visual assessment and vital signs. Do I do range of motion and see if they have bilateral, equal grips? What do I do if they fall and are in an uncomfortable position and want and are trying to move? How do I know they don't have an injury that they shouldn't be moved? What other types of assessment do I do before assisting them up to make sure I am not going to harm them more by assisting them up? I am trying to get answers and research situations that I am uncomfortable with so if they happen again (and in LTC I am told they will) I can be more prepared.

[debelse56]

Thanks for so much information, I learned a lot in the little time I spent on the site. I'm so happy I found it.

[Ambersmom, BSN, RN]

When I worked long term care, Because of my emt experience I always do a primary and secondary survey, in particular I assess pelvis and hips (easy and quick to do) I get a set of signs while they are still on the floor and always assess neuro status, and try to assess cause of fall were you dizzy, lightheaded, any vision problems prior to fall, etc. if nothing causes me to immediately send them out, I keep a close eye on them and ask oncoming shifts to do so as well particularly if they hit their head.