Fall Prevention: Guidance on Utilization of Low Beds and Floor Mats
Contact Hours: 1
Cost: $10.00
Up to one-half of all falls in hospitals and long-term care facilities involve falling from bed. To avoid bed falls, the usual fall preventive protocol is to maintain patient (*) beds in the low position. For some patients, the low position may not be the safest position. Some individuals may require assistance either to get out of bed, or into bed, or require the bed to be slightly higher than the low setting. The purpose of this course is to provide acute care hospital and nursing home staff with practical guidance on the utilization of low beds and floor mats in helping to prevent falls and injurious falls from bed.
(*) The term ‘patient’ is used to refer to both acute hospital patients and long-term care residents.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:
Recognize the reasons for bed falls.
Identify the difference between fixed and adjustable low beds.
Explain the benefits of using adjustable low beds.
Discuss the clinical approach to utilizing low beds.
Describe the steps needed to achieve success with low beds.
State the benefits of using floor mats.
Define the appropriate use of floor mats.
Curriculum
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Causes of Bed-Related Falls
Health Conditions
Environmental Factors
Situational Factors
Chapter Three: Low Beds
Fixed Low Beds
Adjustable Low Beds
Chapter Four: Utilizing Adjustable Low Beds
Step 1: Assess Fall Risk from Bed
Step 2: Assess Bed Mobility
Step 3: Assess Need for Injurious Fall Precautions
Step 4: Communicate Risk
Step 5: Monitor Risk
Step 6: Follow Up
Step 7: Post-Fall
Chapter Five: Achieving Success with Low Beds
“Low Bed” Nurse Coordinator
Education
Administrative Support
Chapter Six: Low Bed Audits
Audit Process
Chapter Seven: Floor Mats
Selection Criteria
Clinical Issues