MedicalNurseTraining.com

Medical Nurse Training presents a one credit hour program on fall prevention and protection from Maria Cvach ADON at Johns Hopkins. This program includes in depth evidence based information on the very successful Johns Hopkins fall protocol and an implementation of a complete falls and bed safety program in an institutional setting. Many important variables are elaborated to crystallize the elements of a successful program. Alternatives to and the use of restraints are also discussed in detail in this offering.

Hospital fall related injuries are very costly. Many facilities incur legal costs well over one million dollars per year in fall related incidents. The human costs are even more devastating if you look at loss of life and lifetime costs associated with hip fractures. Many of these falls are totally preventable using the devices and protocols utilized and developed at Johns Hopkins. Annually 270,000 hip fractures are now associated with approximately $85,000 in lifetime costs. For those admitted to a facility following a hip fracture only about 50% survive. This online fall prevention program is an effective way to reduce these grim statistics.

Joint Commission guidelines require significant reductions in “the risk of patients and residents harm from falls.” One company that provides the types of devices recommended to reduce this risk is the J.T. Posey Company. I would encourage any facility or individual to visit their website www.posey.com for a great deal of educational and device offerings in the bed safety, fall prevention and fall protection area. For the most at risk patients the Posey Bed considered by Joint Commission as the least restrictive restraint may be a great alternative for at risk patients. Our understanding is that this device is now utilized by over 600 facilities to reduce fall risk. Maria Cvach describes the use of this device at Johns Hopkins.

Root causes and specific solutions for patient falls are also described in detail in this on line or DVD program. I like the flow of the program since it is predominately lecture video with side by side PowerPoint. Protocols and over 400 pages of other resources are also included. The effect of staffing levels, communication, staff orientation and training with real evidence based solutions are included. I would suggest caregivers take a good look at the clips and testimonials at the site www.MedicalNurseTraining.com to see the superb value to their facility.

As always care planning and organizational involvement are the essence of any successful fall program. Maria describes the best interventions to achieve the objectives of reducing risk and minimizing injury from falls. Practical ideas for the implementation and evaluation of these programs is discussed in an easy to understand format. Orientation and training of staff is a key element of the success of her program. Fall prevention is an ongoing training dilemma and Maria brings a great number of fresh ideas to your facility. Let’s see what we can all do to reduce hospital falls and falls in nursing homes.

Falls Interventions for patients include – Safe Environment Individualized Interventions for High Fall Risk Patients Bed Safety and Fall Device Evaluation and Selection

Author: Pat Devaney, program contributor

Environmental design and setup very often create unique challenges  including how patient rooms are set up to avoid patient falls and the surrounding potential injury. The 3 hour train the trainer program from Medical Nurse Training demonstrates several safe room set ups for at risk patients.

This program indicates the use of fall devices like beveled floor mats for up to 92% reduction in injury from facility beds including low beds. Additionally the bed safety portion of the program indicates the use of bedside walkers and bedside commode to help enable the patient or resident.

Since four side rails are a restraint, the use of roll guards and perimeter mattress overlays is also recommended to reduce the incidence of restraint orders. One side rail can also be utilized to enable easy bed exit.

Bed alarms are becoming more prevalent to remind the patient to call for help and alert staff. Joint Commission has estimated up to a 85% reduction in injury from falls when bed alarms are utilized. Fortunately, reduced costs and improved alarm design have significantly helped to improve patient outcomes. Several evidence based studies that prove the efficacy of these devices are finally about to be published.