Falls prevention and management procedure

Purpose

To lower the number of falls and the harm they cause, and to make sure staff respond to every fall the same safe way.

Scope

Every resident or client, assessed on admission and whenever their health changes, and every staff member who finds someone after a fall.

Responsibilities

What you need

• Falls risk assessment tool
• Sensor mats, hip protectors and low beds as the plan requires
• A lifting device for getting someone up from the floor

Procedure

1. Assess the risk

   Assess each person’s falls risk on admission, after any fall and when their health or medicines change.

2. Put the plan in place

   Record the person’s falls plan in their care plan, such as walking aids, footwear, toileting times and sensor mats.

3. Keep the space safe

   Keep floors dry and clear, beds low, lights on at night and the call bell within reach.

4. Respond to a fall

   Stay with the person, call for help and the nurse, and don’t move them until they have been checked.

   Caution: If there is a head injury, pain in the hip, neck or back, or the person can’t move a limb, don’t move them. Call emergency services.

5. Help them up safely

   Once the nurse is satisfied, use a lifting device or the agreed method. Never lift a person off the floor by hand.

6. Watch them afterwards

   Take observations as your post-fall chart sets out, especially after a head strike or if they take blood thinners.

7. Report and review

   Tell the family, record the incident, and review the person’s falls plan within a day.

Records

• Falls risk assessments in each care plan.
• Incident reports and post-fall observation charts.
• The monthly falls summary.

Related documents

• Incident management procedure
• Manual handling procedure

Revision history