Falls on way to bathroom

itsmejuli · Sep 1, 2014

Is this a homework question?

What research have you done so far?

Give us some of your ideas.

RehabMelbourne · Sep 1, 2014

Thanks for response. My boss has asked me to try and reduce the numbers. I work on a Stroke and Ortho Rehab unit.

morte, LPN, LVN · Sep 1, 2014

encourage patients to wear incontinent garments, some of the falls are probably related to slipping in their own urine.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Sep 1, 2014

Try a 72 hour bladder diary. The patient is asked to toilet every 2 hours. If they are already wet, they get changed. You can find a pattern if you give it the full 3 days, then base their toileting plan on that. So, if you know they are always wet when they are checked at 2, offer them the bathroom at 130 or 145. It takes a lot of patience and isn't easy but it is better than falls (or incontinent garments).

WittySarcasm, BSN · Sep 2, 2014

If you have them and the patient is a high fall risk I'd say set a bed alarm. They don't prevent falls but it will help you get to the person and check them.

That and maybe q2 hour toileting

itsmejuli · Sep 2, 2014

I'm curious as to why your unit doesn't have fall prevention protocols in place already.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Sep 3, 2014

I'm curious as to why your unit doesn't have fall prevention protocols in place already.

Indeed and seconded. There should already be falls prevention protocols in place. Look them up first before submitting suggestions that should already be implemented. After you know what current policy is then you can look for ideas to expand the program.