|
Safety Precautions
What You Can Do to
Prevent Falls
While in the Hospital
Falls are
not just the result of
getting older. Many falls
can be prevented. Falls are
usually caused by a number
of things. By changing some
of these things, you can
lower your chances of
falling.
1. Keep
cane, walker, or other
assistive device within
reach.
2. Call
nurse for assistance when
you need to get up.
3. When
moving from one position to
another, such as either from
the bed to sitting or from a
chair to standing, the
person should pause for a
couple of moments to let the
blood pressure adjust and to
orient to the new position.
4. Wear
non-slip shoes or slippers
when walking in the room or
hallway. Please don't walk
barefoot or only in sock or
stocking clad feet.
5. When
walking in the hallway,
please notice that handrails
are available for use if you
feel weak or dizzy.
6. Please
do not get up without
assistance or without
notifying a nurse if you
have had any pain medication
or sleeping medication
within the last 4 hours.
7. When
moving from a dark to
bright-lighted environment
or the reverse, the person
should pause a second to
allow the eyes to
accommodate to the change in
light.
8.
Bedside commodes are
available if you have any
difficulty ambulating to the
bathroom, or are on fluid
pills, or have trouble
controlling your bladder.
9. Keep
the room free of clutter.
Closets and bedside tables
are available for your
personal belongings.
10. If
you feel weak or dizzy and
feel like you are going to
pass out, ease yourself down
to a sitting position until
help arrives.
|
