Slips and falls are more common than many people realize, especially in settings that are supposed to be safe and hazard-free, such as hospitals. Hospital falls can happen in the blink of an eye, and they can be absolutely life-changing, depending on the circumstances. More often than not, a patient who was on the road to recovery experiences a major setback by falling in the hospital, resulting in even more medical bills and recovery time. Falls can lead to numerous serious injuries, such as hip fractures and head injuries to broken bones and deep bruises. The majority of hospital falls are preventable, which is why it is important that we take the time to raise awareness about these types of circumstances. In order for hospital patients to be safe and well-cared for, the staff must take measures to keep the facility clean as well as implement a system to keep a watchful eye on those they are caring for.
Top Causes of Hospital Falls
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, there are on average anywhere from 3 to 5 hospital falls per 1,000 beds, which accounts for roughly 1 million falls every year in the United States. Between 30 and 50 percent of these falls will result in injury, ranging from the most minor of cuts to far more serious problems. There are a host of patient, staff, and environmental factors that contribute to hospital falls, including the following:
- Weakened muscles
- Reliance on canes or walkers
- Failure to notify nurses when assistance is needed
- Use of high-risk medications that cause dizziness, confusion, or impaired mobility
- Failure to set bed-exit alarms
- Not using scheduled toilet routines
- Non-adjustable hospital beds
- Delayed responses to the nurse call bell
- Inadequate patient assessment
- Failure to provide non-slip footwear
- Impaired mobility
- Frequent toileting
- Impaired vision
- History of falls
These are just some of the most common causes of hospital falls. Please keep in mind this list is far from exhaustive. Now that we have gone over some of the reasons why falls happen, let’s look at some fall prevention techniques:
- Bed and chair exit alarms
- Video camera surveillance
- Nurse call systems
- Low beds for patients with a history of falls
- Raised edge mattress
- Non-skid floor mat
It is important to raise awareness about how serious hospital falls can be, especially for elderly patients and those recovering from surgery or another procedure. There are numerous instances in which a patient may be able to sue the hospital for damages, however, it can be extremely difficult to prove that a hospital or healthcare facility is responsible for a patient’s injury. In order to pursue a hospital liability case, you must be able to prove that the facility was responsible for the injured person’s safety and that a dangerous situation occurred as a result of negligence. For more information on hospital liability cases, please contact Wormington & Bollinger today. Our personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions you may have and make sure you are on the right path with your case.