Hi all, just curious if at your facilities assisting a patient to sit on the ground to prevent them from falling is considered a fall? T
I went to RRT on inpatient psych. Pt very sedated and weak. I was getting labs when she said she had to pee. There was a nurse and tech in the room. I said we should get a bedpan because getting her up wasn't safe. She was throwing her legs over the side but I think we could have redirected and they were both strong guys. They said they knew her and she would never use bedpan. I suggested bedside commode but they don't have commodes. They got her up and walked her to the bathroom with a lot of assistance. The nurse left the room, leaving me and the tech to help her back to bed. I wanted to get a wheelchair but he was already helping her stand up. While I was pulling up her pants she got too weak and started to fall. We assisted her to the floor very gently to sit down. No injuries and she got back to bed safely. Is this a fall?
I'm so upset because if she were my pt I would never get her up. I tried to advocate but I felt out of place since it's not my unit and I was just there for RRT. I felt intimidated disagreeing with 2 men although they were both nice. I'm upset that the nurse left knowing it would be hard for me to help get her up (she was a large pt) and that the tech started getting her up without making sure I was ready. Basically I'm annoyed with the whole thing but mostly annoyed with myself for letting it happen! I know pt is fine though. I would like to suggest they keep commodes on psych or get training on fall safety but I don't want to overstep. Their unit has a high fall rate and this pt has called 4 times this month, one where she hit her head but CT negative.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
The rule I’m most familiar with is that any unanticipated change in planes is considered a fall and has to be documented as such, even if it’s just someone being lowered to the floor by staff.
VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN
22 Articles; 9,996 Posts
The rule I’m most familiar with is that any unanticipated change in planes is considered a fall and has to be documented as such, even if it’s just someone being lowered to the floor by staff.