According to a patient safety toolkit, released by AAAHC's Institute for Quality Improvement, there are a number of steps that ambulatory surgery centers can take to reduce falls.
In 2011, the patient fall rate was 1.4 per 10,000 ASC admissions. To help prevent falls, ASCs can take the following 10 steps:
1. Communicate identified risk factors to patient, patient's caregivers and all patient care staff.
2. Identify the need for a translator in cases where English is not the patient's primary language.
3. Train patients about gait and balance.
4. Review and modify medications — especially cardiovascular agents associated with orthostatic drop in systolic pressure.
5. Prevent/treat postural hypotension.
6. Have patients use walking aids.
7. Make environmental modifications, such as locking movable equipment, removing clutter and providing adequate lighting.
8. Assist patients going to/from the toilet.
9. Identify patients at risk for falls with colored bracelets.
10. Evaluate fall occurrence versus presence of extrinsic and intrinsic factors.
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In 2011, the patient fall rate was 1.4 per 10,000 ASC admissions. To help prevent falls, ASCs can take the following 10 steps:
1. Communicate identified risk factors to patient, patient's caregivers and all patient care staff.
2. Identify the need for a translator in cases where English is not the patient's primary language.
3. Train patients about gait and balance.
4. Review and modify medications — especially cardiovascular agents associated with orthostatic drop in systolic pressure.
5. Prevent/treat postural hypotension.
6. Have patients use walking aids.
7. Make environmental modifications, such as locking movable equipment, removing clutter and providing adequate lighting.
8. Assist patients going to/from the toilet.
9. Identify patients at risk for falls with colored bracelets.
10. Evaluate fall occurrence versus presence of extrinsic and intrinsic factors.
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