Hospital falls and injuries happen at an alarming rate, which is something many people are unaware of. While we assume the hospital is a safe place where we will be well cared for and nursed back to health, sometimes the opposite happens. As we have discussed in past blog posts, medical malpractice is on the rise in the United States – it is the third-leading cause of death in our country. There are many different scenarios that can lead to medical malpractice, from misdiagnosis to prescription errors and negligence on the part of the hospital staff. Hospital slip and fall accidents are yet another cause of medical malpractice, but one that people don’t think about as much.
In order for a hospital to run smoothly and ensure all patients under its roof are attended to and taken care of, a series of steps need to be taken. Each hospital should have its own policies in place designed to keep everyone in check and ensure no patient is left without care or neglected in any manner. Even though this is the case, the hospital policies and regulations are not always adhered to, which can lead to accidents and injuries. Assuring patient safety is one of the most important responsibilities of any medical or health care facility, including hospitals. Something that is considered a “never event” in this industry is a hospital patient falls. Unfortunately, the majority of patient falls are 100% preventable by the nursing and medical staff. Hospital falls can be absolutely devastating, as the patients are likely already in a compromising situation and not of great health. Before we look at how to prevent hospital falls, let’s briefly go over some of the most common causes of hospital falls:
- Medical errors
- Changes in blood pressure (from medications and procedures)
- Frequent elimination due to medical condition
- Mobility problems
- Vision issues
- Wet or slippery floors
- Hallway hazards
- Patient neglect
As you can see, there are many different factors that can lead to a hospital patient falling and sustaining a serious injury.
How to Prevent Hospital Falls
Statistics indicate that the majority of accidents that take place in hospitals occur as a result of a fall. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality states that more than 40% of all hospital falls are preventable. Preventing patient falls doesn’t have to be overly complicated, the following just needs to happen:
- Patients should be provided with proper equipment for mobility (this includes walkers, wheelchairs, and other apparatuses to help with movement)
- Hospital staff should always assist with transferring a patient from one place to another
- Hospital staff should make sure each patient’s room is equipped with alarms that are within reach
- The hospital should have a nurse call system in place to improve patient assistance
These are just a few things that can be done in order to prevent hospital falls from taking place at such a high rate. If you have been injured after slipping or falling while in the hospital, contact Wormington & Bollinger today.