How do hospitals assess falls and what do fall protocols consist of?

Question

I'm in a CLARION case study and in the study I have a patient who is 55y/o and is going through alcohol withdrawal- he's very confused. He falls and a bed alarm is placed and then he falls again and pulls out his IV while an assistant was present. How would a hospital assess "falls risk," what tool would they use, what restraints would be used first, second, third, etc., and how does one go about forming a falls protocol. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Answer 1

You probably should go into a hospital and ask for their 'risk fall' protocol. It's lengthy, and they consider things like: previous fall
extra equipment
sedatives and or narcotics given
GCS
dementia and or alzheimers
Lots more, just can't think of them right now
After the risk is assessed warning colors are placed in the room, so any staff member can walk in and see how cautious they should be.
Then, they hope family can take turns monitoring the pt
All 4 siderails up, bed low
call light @ hand
frequent re-orientation
Lights appropriate for time of day
clock in room
They'd try a bed alarm for those that are very slow at trying to get up,
Sometimes tthey have to resort to posey jacket or restaints for safety reasons. If they just pick at things, you can try 'mitts'
medications are good, but patients still will 'wake up' and try to take a hike, or wake up confused, and start pulling at IV's and foleys. OUCH

Answer 2

im not sure of all the levels but heres what i know from nursing home experience. Anyone that is severly confused and has trouble staying in bed is a fall risk. Especially if they are on a high medication dose. AS for restraints Bed alarms, side rails, half rails, floor mats and they have wrist restraints but i dont think that would be used on this sort of patient. also they have padding that can be used with the gaurd rails to prevent bruising and legs thru the bed rails. We also use to use bed alarms that would be attatched to the patient and we could tell when the moved. Hope that helps best of luck

Answer 3

I am more concerned about what is being done for the alcohol withdrawl...


medications??? ativan,,, librium?????
etc...