Had a patient fall

[ArrrrEnnn]

I'm a new RN and I recently started working in the skilled unit at a LTC. I had a patient fall during my shift. She was a Walkie-talkie with no assist. She was using her came and had on rubber soled shoes when she ambulated to the bathroom.

When she stood up from the toilet she fell to her right side onto the ground and broke her hip. She cried out for help (this was third shift) and when we found her she was resting her head against the sink. I immediately did a neuro, vital signs and checked for shortening of the limb. I sent her out with the squad, notified the doctor, the family and the DoN.

At the time everything, minus the pain from the hip, was coming back within normal limits. This patient was also on Coumadin. The hospital I sent her to called back two days later and said the patient couldn't move her legs and had urinary retention. Turns out she had a brain bleed that complicated the anesthetic from the surgery and now this poor patient has three months to love.

I feel awful. I know that there is nothing I could have done to prevent the fall since she had no restrictions on ambulation. I contacted my DoN and she said the paperwork I submitted looked fine but I'm still worried that I will get in trouble.

The lady who trained me had all these horror stories, including one that she was actually in trouble for concerning a fall, and I'm worried that I will take the fall for all of this. Any advice?

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

People fall. If the woman was independent what else could have been done to prevent the fall? Please don't beat yourself up over this. I do, however, find the term 'walkie talkie' to be disrespectful and demeaning.

[ArrrrEnnn]

I didn't realize it was disrespectful and demeaning. I apologize.

[ArrrrEnnn]

People fall. If the woman was independent what else could have been done to prevent the fall? Please don't beat yourself up over this. I do, however, find the term 'walkie talkie' to be disrespectful and demeaning.

It's also not meant towards a patient specifically in LTC. It's used throughout healthcare to mean a person with no ambulation issues. I'm not sure why it's disrespectful and demeaning. I apologize for it being interrupted that way. You can google the phrase though.

[misstrinad]

I've had lots of patients fall in Ltd (alzheimer's unit) as long as care plan was followed you will be okay. Falls happen, sometimes they sustain injuries, just make sure you are doing what you are supposed to do to minimize risk and whenever a resident appears to have a change in things like ability to ambulate fill out the proper paperwork to have them evaluated by therapy.

[ArrrrEnnn]

I've had lots of patients fall in Ltd (alzheimer's unit) as long as care plan was followed you will be okay. Falls happen, sometimes they sustain injuries, just make sure you are doing what you are supposed to do to minimize risk and whenever a resident appears to have a change in things like ability to ambulate fill out the proper paperwork to have them evaluated by therapy.

I think since this is my first time having someone fall I'm just super paranoid. I talked to the DoN and she said I did everything right. Thank you guys.

[loriangel14, RN]

People will fall. Sometimes in spite of our best efforts.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Keep in mind, some people say "they have the right to fall". That comment ****** me off, but I guess it means they have the right to be independent And the right to ambulate. Yes, falls happen. I know it's troubling. (((( hugs))))

[motherof3sons]

People will fall.....it is the goal to reduce falls but falls happen. Only once in my 6 years of LTC have I had a fall that was investigated, but there were more issues going on than just the fall. Resident to resident altercation then fall involving the same resident resulting in a hip fx. Yes, it was a bad night.

[misstrinad]

I think since this is my first time having someone fall I'm just super paranoid. I talked to the DoN and she said I did everything right. Thank you guys.

You will become more confident as time goes on. Every day you will learn something new or get a chance to put a skill into practice. Keep asking questions too!

[ArrrrEnnn]

You will become more confident as time goes on. Every day you will learn something new or get a chance to put a skill into practice. Keep asking questions too!

Thank you so much for your support!

[ceebeejay]

I am in no way asking this question to insinuate fault, so just take it at its face value... Do you have your own malpractice insurance?