Fall prevention works best when it is not a separate project, but part of daily care. Spot the signs in time, make consistent agreements and report in such a way that every colleague knows what is going on.
Fall prevention is one of the topics I focus on, just like wound care, reporting and hygienic working. For an older client, a fall can lead to injury, fear of moving and loss of independence. Many teams know this well, but in the bustle of a shift attention sometimes slips. In this article I share how to make fall prevention part of everyday work.
Fall prevention does not have to start big. Often the gains lie in small things that come back in every shift: is the call bell within reach, is the walker next to the bed, is the client wearing proper footwear and is the lighting sufficient at night? A team that makes fixed agreements about this prevents a great deal.
A client who walks less steadily or receives new medication may have a higher fall risk. That signal has to reach the next colleague. At spotting fall risk in older people you can read what to look out for. Also discuss such signals in the handover between shifts.
Reporting makes the difference between a loose observation and an agreement the whole team knows. A fixed structure helps. Many teams use SOAP reporting: what does the client say, what do you see, what is your assessment and what is the plan?
Despite all the attention, a client may still fall. Then discuss with the team what happened and what you learn from it, without looking for someone to blame. Record any adjustments and check after a while whether they work. If you would like support with this, have a look at fall prevention.
I help with this through fall prevention and consistent working agreements. Want to know what that means for your organisation? Schedule an introduction.
Walk through the ward once through the eyes of a client with a walker. Thresholds, cables and things in the corridor suddenly stand out.
The physiotherapist plays an important role, but fall prevention is teamwork. Carers and nurses see the client every day and are the first to notice what is changing.
Choose a few concrete agreements that come back in every shift and agree how you report signals. Small steps that everyone follows work better than a big plan.
Yes. At home, risks such as thresholds, loose rugs and stairs are often greater. Consistent agreements and good reporting are just as important there.
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