Thursday Thirteen Edition #9

13 suggestions for Post-fall assessment for the resident who isn't able to tell what happened
1. Always start with the resident and ask them to try to explain what happened.
2. Examine the resident for any skin tears, lacerations, or bleeding. After giving first aid and taking care of the immediate problem look for clues as to where the fall took place.
3. Review what the resident was wearing, clothing and footwear.
4. Conduct an environmental review looking for tripping hazards.
5. Examine the amount of light in the area.
6. Determine possible causes of why the resident was up and about if the time the fall took place was at their usual sleeping time.
7. Review what activities were in progress at the time the resident fell. Was the resident agitated?
8. Do a review of the chart to determine if there have been falls prior.
9. Was the call cord, telephone, lamp with in reaching distance of the resident?
10. Was there a night light on?
11. Has there been recent medication changes.
12. When was the last time the resident had an eye exam?
13. When was the last assesment completed that identified the resident's ability to get up on their own, their balance ability, strength or blood pressure changes?

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