Fall and Injury Prevention

Falling can cause serious injury. It is important to know about falls to keep yourself safe. Falling is more of a risk when you are not feeling well and staying in an unfamiliar place.

We are proud to have a program in place, called SAFE – Stop Adverse Fall Events, to help prevent falls. We will do everything we can to keep you from falling. But sometimes falling is one of the risks of rehabilitation as you practice new skills.

With your help, we can prevent most falls.

To help prevent falls, your care team will:

• Check your risk of falling when you get here and as your condition changes.

• Identify what we can do to limit your risk of falling and share this information with other staff.

• Help you get familiar with the hospital environment, which our staff will keep clean and in good repair.

• Show you how to use your call bell and remind you when to call for help.

• Respond to your calls for help as quickly as possible.

• Help you with getting in and out of bed and using the restroom, if needed.

• Help you select safe, non-slip footwear.

• Loan you any equipment (such as a walker or bedside commode) that will make it safer for you to move about.

• Make sure the call bell and other things you need are within reach before staff leaves your room.

We ask you and your family members or friends to:

• Tell your care team if you have a history of falls.

• Share any fears or concerns you have about falling with your care team.

• Ask your care team about your risk and what prevention measures are being taken.

• Use the call bell to ask for help before you get in or out of bed and on or off the toilet, if your risk of falling is high.

• Ask for help if you feel dizzy or weak when you sit upright or stand (this can happen after sitting or lying for a long period of time).

• Sit up for awhile before standing.

• Wear safe, non-skid footwear.

• Wear glasses and/or hearing aids, as needed.

• Use equipment that has been provided for your safety.

• Make sure that your clothing doesn't get in your way or cause you to fall.

• Make sure the call bell and other needed items are within your reach before family or staff leaves your room.

• Properly use side rails if they are in place.

Even if you think you don't need help, remember that you are in the hospital and that:

• Certain medications and treatments may cause you to become weak, dizzy, or confused.

• The hospital may be unfamiliar to you, especially at night.

Furniture and equipment may not be where you would expect them to be and may get in your way. Getting to the bathroom may be hazardous in your dark and unfamiliar room.

You can ask your care team for more information about how you can help prevent falls.