Module 7 - Promoting Safety Flashcards
Intrinsic factors contributing to falls in older persons
- Neurological
- Sensory
- Cognitive
- MSK issues
- Medications
- Osteoporosis
- Physical Illness
Extrinsic factors contributing to falls in older persons
- Living conditions
- Health care settings
- Foot wear
- Safety and security measurements
Best practice guidelines for falls and prevention management
- Gait training
- Use of assist devices
- Medication reviews
- Exercise programs such as balance training
- Assessment/treatment of medical conditions - hypotension
- Environmental hazard modifications
- Staff education on falls risk and prevention
What are the tools that assess for falls risk?
- Minimum Data Set (MDS)
- Resident Assessment Protocol (RAP)
- Schmid Fall Risk Assessment (AHS) Acute care
- Hendrich II Fall risk model - Cognitive/Medication/MSK Assessments
- Romberg Test (gait)
What are some protocols for fall prevention?
- Assist clients with hearing aids or glasses
- Do comfort rounds
- Teach client/family on falls risk/prevention
- Make sure call bell is within reach
- Bed at lowest height
- Use of fall mat
- Remind clients to ask for help
- Encourage to walk
- Check for barriers
- Non-slip footwear
- Use of assisted devices
Types of physical restraints?
- Limits a persons movement by restraining a limb Types: - Lap belts - Wrist ties - Side-rails - Wheelchairs
Types of chemical restraints?
- Anti-psychotics
- Sedatives
- Injected restraint and the last possible option
Negative factors of restraints
- Ineffective and hazardous
- Physical, emotional and psychological distress
- Reduced independently mobility
- Falls risk to client
- Can cause damage to skin
Best practice guidelines for restraint use
- Lower bed to lowest level
- Call bell
- Place mattress on floor
- Assess ability to ambulate
- Bed, chair and wrist alarms
- Establish toilet plan
- Ambulate frequently
- Provide diversion activities
- Cover PEG tubes safely
- Ensure least harmful restraint is used
- Following agency policy and procedure
- Comfort rounds
Best practice guidelines for side rail use
- Evaluate proper use of side rail before using them
- Ensure all are not up at the same - restraint
- One side rail up
Strategies for protecting older adults from accidents or injuries
- Lower bed to lowest level
- Nonslip shoes
- Call bell within reach
- Ambulate frequently
- Use of falls risk assessment tools
- Staff education on falls risk and prevention
- Medication reviews
- Gait training and use of assit devices
- Client/family education on falls prevention
Types of elder abuse
- Physical abuse - throwing objects
- Psychological/emotional; abuse - threatening, yelling and alienation
- Sexual abuse/exploitation
- Economic/financial abuse - pressure in financial support
- Spiritual abuse - taking away right to practice beliefs
- Most common is financial and emotion abuse
Risk factors of abuse and neglect for older adults
- Isolation
- Lack of support
- Cognitive impairment (dementia)
- Living with someone who has a mental illness
- Living with people who engage in illegal drugs and excessive alcohol consumption
- Dependency on others to complete ADL’s
- Health decline
- Arguing with relatives frequently
Definition of Elder Abuse
Action by someone in a relationship of trust that results in harm or distress to an older person
Definition of Neglect
Lack of action by that person in a relationship of trust with the same result
- Lack of providing essential needs and services
