Newsletter

11/7/2008

”Ensuring Patient and Caregiver Safety”

Falls account for about half of all accidental deaths in the home and more than 83% of all accidents in the home.  The following simple suggestions will go far in preventing falls:

• If a patient uses a cane or walker, remove obstacles that are directly in their path
• Wipe up spills immediately after they occur.
• Don’t stretch electrical cords across rooms, and never run extension cords underneath a rug or carpet (they are not only an obstacle, but could also become a fire hazard).
• Keep stairs and steps well lit and free of objects, and make sure that light switches are accessible from the top and bottom of stairways.
• Do not use stairways to store boxes, equipment or other items—even temporarily.
• Use extra care when going up or down stairs, especially when wearing house slippers or robes.
• Never place small rugs at the top or bottom of stairways.
• If a patient is mobile and the home has hardwood floors, non-skid wax should be used on the floors to help prevent slipping.
• Bed rails should always be raised, even during momentary absences.  If a patient requires a hospital bed, but has refused one, the patient’s bed can be placed against a wall and a mattress placed on the floor beside the bed for protection should the patient roll out of bed.
• Safety devices such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be located near all bedrooms in the patient’s home, and the batteries checked regularly.

• Baby monitors are often an effective tool to alert the caregiver that the patient is moving around or needs help or assistance.