General Health Staying on Your Feet How to prevent falls during recovery The last thing you need whilst recovering from an illness or procedure in hospital is an injury as a result of a fall, but patients can be more susceptible to falling, during their stay in hospital. Recent surgery, new medication or changes to existing medications, or simply being in unfamiliar surroundings can confuse and upset the patient’s sense of direction and balance. It is therefore important for patients to be mindful of the factors that could result in their sustaining a fall while in they are in hospital and to accept responsibility for taking precautions that will decrease their risk of falling while they are in hospital. Pindara Private Hospital utilises and follows a falls prevention process to minimise the risk of a patient falling while they are in hospital. A Pindara Nurse will conduct a Falls Risk Assessment and develop a plan to evaluate and then decrease the risk of a patient falling. Decrease the Risk of Falling You can take precautions that will decrease your risk of falling while in hospital by: üü Being familiar with your surroundings. üü Always ringing the call bell for assistance or supervision, before trying to walk around the room, to the bathroom or ward. üü Staying active – take a slow walk once or twice a day, if it is advised by a nurse. üü When walking, take your time when turning around. üü Notifying staff if you use a walking aid. üü If you have your own walking aid, please arrange for it to be brought to hospital. üü Wearing enclosed toe, non-slip slippers. Do NOT walk in stockings or socks. Pindara Magazine 28 Autumn - Winter | 2014
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Two
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