Resident fall feel like....

notanumber · Apr 28, 2017

I'd look at what fall precautions were in place. Bed or chair alarms? If May had an alarm in place, you would've known she was trying to stand before she actually got to her feet so you could've had time to attend to her and then Martha. Where were other staff members? Do you have a way to communicate quickly that you need assistance? Did the residents have callbells available and know how to use them? I would also look at whether a seatbelt would be appropriate - it's not a restraint if they can undo it themselves, and it serves as a reminder to sit as well as giving staff time to attend to a resident fiddling with it before they get up and go.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · May 1, 2017

I work at the local nursing home and have been on light duty due to neck and back issues. I have from 6 to 16 people to watch, give snacks, games, puzzles etc. Most of them are assists when standing, walking, and transfers.
Before I came in we had a person fall we will call her Martha she had xrays but we had not heard whether it was broken. She was not even supposed to stand. We have one named May she is an assist as well. And one more named Norine she is in a wheelchair she disrupts things and goes into other rooms and causes people to get angry. It's almost 8pm.
Norine was going into the hallway and I talked her into coming back in she agreed. Passed May she had just stood up but I also seen Martha trying to stand and May is hard to get to sit. So I knew Martha was more likely to fall so I go to Martha and try to convince her to sit it is easy I hear a thump and May is on the floor doesn't seem hurt we get her up. Thing is I think if I had taken the time to get her to sit Martha may have stood and most likely fallen. I feel no favoritism between them they are both on my favorites list.
I don't think I could have won this act. Not sure if I should continue this job if I cannot handle keeping people safe on my watch.

I can understand the difficulty and sorry you are going through this. I am curious to know what type of patient population? It seems like a high falls risk population. Dementia, Alzheimer, elderly, sun downers? What are the common stimulates or medication? And lastly, what is the organization's management style?

littlelimabean01, LPN · May 1, 2017

Falls are not your fault unless you were being negligent, which it is obvious you were not. Do you have an aide on staff with you? If you do not you should. You are one person, of course you can do a great job by yourself, but unfortunately some falls will happen from time to time. Where I work I have double the patients, but I do also have 3-4 CNA's who assist me. As Notanumber said alarms are really effective tools! But in Louisiana or maybe it is just my facility we are required to have an order for even a self-releasing belt and even say something like a mitten. Find out what you can do legally to help prevent falls. I know its hard when you are just trying to do your best. Do not give up if you love your job.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · May 5, 2017

Several years ago, I was working in a rehabilitation hospital. My CNA and I were returning to the floor from the nurse station after checking some patient charts. As we were walking past one of the rooms (not one of mine, fortunately), we heard a loud thud. The patient had fallen in the shower, and she had an order for staff to be present when she showered due to her instability. As far as I know the patient wasn't injured, but she easily could have been. Her nurse left the room after she went into the shower and didn't arrange for anyone else to monitor her.