Reporting a Fall???

[macgirl]

i was told to never chart that a client/patient fell. but to write that they were found lying or sitting on the floor. ok i can understand this, if no one saw it! (even though that's most likely what happened) however, you're not even suppose to chart it, even if it was witnessed. this seems dishonest to me. can i loose my licence if i go along with this? i'm temped not to say anything and then just chart the truth when it happens.

what do you think? i'm still in orientation. my first part-time job in ltc.

[Vinniesguy]

We actually chart it as an unwitnessed fall.

Incident report has to be filled out, medical team and NoK have to be notified and neuro obs have to be commenced.

It's a total drag really!

[nurse4117]

To my understanding, if there is a change in the level of the patient, ie from bed to floor or mat beside the low bed, this IS considered a fall. All you have to do is describe clearly what you see/saw/found. Therefore you are not being in anyway dishonest,but factual.