Fall Management Technology
Contact Hours: 1
Cost: $10.00
Falls in older patients are common in hospitals and nursing facilities. Among hospital inpatients, falls range from 2.3 to 7 falls per 1,000 patient-days. Approximately 30% of inpatient falls result in injury, with 4% to 6% resulting in serious injury, such as hip fracture, spinal injury and head trauma. Of the 1.6 million patients in U.S. nursing facilities, approximately half fall annually. About 1 in 3 of those who fall will fall two or more times in a year. One in every 10 falls results in a serious injury; about 65,000 patients suffer a hip fracture each year.
To a large extent, effective fall prevention is dependent upon caregivers adhering to a structured process that consists of timely fall risk and post fall assessments and targeted multidisciplinary interventions based on identified risk factors and/or causes of falls.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
-
Identify available technologies (or products) that support safe mobility/reduce the risk of falling.
-
Recognize available technologies (or products) aimed at reducing risk of injurious falls.
-
Discuss available technologies that warn caregivers when a patient is engaging in potentially risky behavior.
-
Summarize the framework for selecting and implementing fall prevention technology.
Curriculum
Chapter 1: Introduction
-
Fall Management Technologies
Chapter 2: Assistive Devices
-
Wheeled Walkers
-
Bed Transfer Aids
-
Toileting Safety
-
Wheelchair Locking Systems
-
Gait Belts
-
Non-Skid Slippers
Chapter 3: Injury Protection Devices
-
Hip Protectors
-
Low Beds
-
Smart Beds
-
Fall Mats
Chapter 4: Warning Devices
-
Fall Alarms
-
Wandering Alarms
-
Fall Management Technology: Its Implementation
Chapter 5: Selecting the Best Technological Solution
-
Identify a Multidisciplinary Team
-
Identify the Need for Technology
-
Identify Appropriate Technology
Chapter 6: Implementing Technology
-
Staff Acceptance of Technology
-
Patient Acceptance of Technology
-
Maintenance and Availability Issues
Chapter 7: Nursing and Technology
Chapter 8: Appendix
-
Common Risk Factors and Causes of Falls
-
Fall Preventive Interventions