Fall Prevention: Inpatient

Summary

This video from MD Anderson emphasizes fall prevention during cancer treatment. It outlines risks such as feeling weak, dizziness, and low blood counts, which can increase the chance of falls. The video advises patients to call for help when getting up and to be cautious with IV poles and bathroom use. It also suggests wearing non-skid shoes, using assistive devices, and following safety measures like bed alarms. The message is clear: patient safety is paramount, and proactive measures can prevent serious fall-related injuries.

Takeaways

• 🚑 Falling is a serious risk for all patients, potentially causing delays in cancer treatment or even death.
• 💊 Treatment side effects like weakness, tiredness, confusion, or dizziness increase the risk of falling.
• 🩸 Low blood counts heighten the risk of falls and injuries.
• 💊 Certain medicines, including chemotherapy, can increase the likelihood of falls.
• 🏥 Post-surgery, sedation, or extended bed rest can affect mobility and balance, raising the risk of falls.
• 👨‍⚕️ If you've had falls before or feel weak, be cautious and ask for help when moving around.
• 👵 Age, low blood pressure, poor nutrition, and dehydration can also contribute to the risk of falling.
• 💧 Urgent needs for the restroom due to medication or IV fluids can increase the risk of falls.
• 🏠 Familiarize yourself with the hospital room to reduce the risk of falling due to unfamiliarity.
• 🛑 Always use the call light for assistance when needing to get out of bed or use the restroom.
• 👟 Wear non-skid shoes or socks and avoid loose or backless footwear to prevent slipping and tripping.

Q & A

What is the primary concern addressed in the video?

The primary concern addressed in the video is the risk of falling among patients receiving treatment at MD Anderson, which can lead to serious injuries or even death.

How can a fall impact a patient's cancer treatment?

A fall can cause serious injuries that may delay cancer treatment or even result in death.

What are some factors that increase the risk of falling during cancer treatment?

Factors that increase the risk of falling include feeling weak, tired, confused, or dizzy due to the disease or treatment side effects, low blood counts, sedation during procedures, surgery, extended bed rest, and mobility issues like damaged nerves in the feet.

Why are certain medicines associated with an increased risk of falling?

Certain medicines like chemotherapy, cellular therapy, pain or nausea medications, steroids, allergy medications, and diuretics can affect balance or strength, thereby increasing the risk of falling.

What advice does the video give for patients needing to use the restroom urgently?

Patients should call for help before attempting to use the restroom urgently due to conditions like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or certain medicines and IV fluids.

Why is it important to use the call light for help when getting out of bed?

Using the call light for help when getting out of bed ensures that staff can assist quickly, reducing the risk of falls in unfamiliar hospital environments.

What role do environmental factors play in the risk of falling in a hospital room?

Environmental factors such as furniture, IV poles, uneven floors, different floor surfaces, inadequate lighting, wet or cluttered floors can all contribute to the risk of falling.

What personal experience does Bob Rozinski, the lymphoma cancer survivor, share in the video?

Bob Rozinski shares his close calls with falls and emphasizes the importance of listening to nurses and not being embarrassed to ask for help with toileting needs for safety.

What is the significance of the 'call don't fall' campaign mentioned in the video?

The 'call don't fall' campaign is a safety initiative encouraging patients to always call for help when needing to get up or go to the bathroom to prevent falls.

How can patients ensure their safety while using the bathroom in the hospital?

Patients should call their nurse when getting up to use the bedside commode or the bathroom, and again after they are done to get back in bed. They should also use the bedside commode if they need to go urgently or feel weak.

What safety measures are recommended for patients identified as high risk for falling?

For high-risk patients, the nursing team will provide a yellow bracelet, use a gate belt for extra support, and may use bed and chair alarms. They will also take additional safety measures like staying close by during toileting tasks.

Outlines

00:00

🚑 Fall Prevention in Cancer Treatment

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of fall prevention during cancer treatment at MD Anderson. It outlines the risks that patients face, such as feeling weak, tired, confused, or dizzy due to treatment side effects or low blood counts. It also mentions that certain treatments and medications can increase the risk of falls. The video provides practical advice on how to avoid falls, including calling for help when needing to get out of bed, waiting for staff assistance, and being cautious in unfamiliar hospital environments. The narrative includes a personal account from a lymphoma survivor who had close calls due to falls and underscores the critical role of nurses in ensuring patient safety.

05:02

🛑 Safety Measures and Personal Care

The second paragraph focuses on specific safety measures and personal care advice for patients at risk of falling. It discusses the role of the nursing team in providing support and checking on patients, ensuring essential items are within reach, and the use of a bedside commode for urgent needs. The importance of calling a nurse for assistance with toileting tasks and not using an IV pole for support is highlighted. Additionally, it advises on wearing non-skid shoes or socks, turning on lights for better visibility, and using bathroom safety equipment like grab bars and shower chairs. The paragraph also touches on the potential involvement of the rehab team and the use of assistive devices. High-risk patients are given a yellow bracelet and may use a gate belt for extra support. The paragraph concludes with a review of safety practices and a reminder of the hospital's commitment to patient safety.

Keywords

💡Falling

Falling refers to the act of losing one's balance and unintentionally hitting the ground. In the context of the video, falling is a significant concern for patients receiving cancer treatment, as it can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones or head injuries, potentially delaying treatment or even causing death. The video emphasizes the importance of preventing falls by calling for help when getting out of bed.

💡Cancer treatment

Cancer treatment refers to medical interventions aimed at eliminating cancer cells or controlling their growth. The video discusses how patients undergoing cancer treatment may experience side effects that increase their risk of falling, such as feeling weak, tired, or dizzy.

💡Side effects

Side effects are unintended consequences of medical treatment. In the video, side effects of treatment like chemotherapy are mentioned as they can lead to a patient feeling weak or dizzy, which in turn increases the risk of falling.

💡Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The video highlights that patients receiving chemotherapy are at a higher risk of falls due to the treatment's side effects, such as balance issues and general weakness.

💡Blood counts

Blood counts refer to the number of different types of blood cells in the body. The video mentions that low blood counts can increase the risk of falling and injuring oneself, as they may lead to feelings of weakness or dizziness.

💡Mobility

Mobility refers to the ability to move or be moved easily and smoothly. The video discusses how conditions affecting a patient's mobility, such as damaged nerves in the feet, can make it difficult to balance and increase the risk of falling.

💡Sedation

Sedation is a medically induced state of calmness or drowsiness. The video notes that patients who have received sedation during a procedure are at an increased risk of falling, likely due to the lingering effects on balance and alertness.

💡Call light

A call light is a device in a hospital room that patients can use to signal for help. The video stresses the importance of using the call light for assistance whenever a patient needs to get out of bed to prevent falls.

💡Assistive device

An assistive device is a tool or equipment designed to help individuals with disabilities or impairments. The video mentions that patients may be advised to use assistive devices like walkers or canes to help maintain balance and prevent falls.

💡Bedside commode

A bedside commode is a portable toilet designed for use near a patient's bed, especially for those with limited mobility. The video advises patients to use the bedside commode for urgent toilet needs and to call a nurse for assistance to ensure safety.

💡Non-skid shoes

Non-skid shoes are footwear designed to prevent slipping. The video recommends wearing non-skid shoes or socks to reduce the risk of falls caused by slipping, especially on wet or uneven surfaces.

Highlights

Patients at MD Anderson are educated on fall prevention during cancer treatment.

Falls can cause serious injuries and even death, potentially delaying cancer treatment.

Patients may feel weak, tired, confused, or dizzy due to their disease or treatment side effects.

Low blood counts increase the risk of falling and injuring oneself.

Certain treatments and medications can increase the risk of falls.

Conditions affecting mobility, such as damaged nerves in the feet, can contribute to the risk of falling.

The hospital environment, being unfamiliar, can increase the risk of falls.

Use the call light for help anytime you need to get out of bed.

Furniture, IV poles, and tubes can be fall hazards in the hospital room.

Wet and cluttered floors are a common cause of falls and should be cleaned by staff.

Bob Rozinski, a lymphoma cancer survivor, shares his experience with close calls due to falls.

It's critical to listen to nurses for safety, especially when feeling overconfident.

Nurses can provide guidance on safely transitioning from lying to sitting positions.

Always call for help when needing to use the restroom to prevent falls.

The care team provides extra support when getting out of bed.

Never use an IV pole as support to walk, as it can be unstable and cause falls.

Wear non-skid shoes or socks to prevent slipping when out of bed.

Turn on the lights in the room or bathroom when out of bed to improve visibility.

Physical therapists and occupational therapists may recommend assistive devices for high-risk patients.

High-risk patients are given a yellow bracelet and may use a gate belt for extra support.

Bed alarms and chair alarms are used to alert staff when a patient tries to get up unassisted.

The care team will discuss fall prevention practices and provide necessary equipment.

Patients are encouraged to always call for help to prevent falls, even if a family member or caregiver is present.

Transcripts

[Music]

at md anderson your safety is our

priority in this video we will share

ways you can stay safe throughout

treatment all patients are at risk of

falling a fall may cause a serious

injury such as a broken bone or a head

injury

a fall could delay your cancer treatment

or even cause your death we want you to

call don't fall

no matter what treatment you receive you

need to be careful to avoid falling

your disease or the side effects of

treatment may make you feel weak tired

confused or dizzy

if your blood counts are low your risk

of falling and injuring yourself

increases

falls can happen more often if you are

taking chemotherapy cellular therapy or

certain medicines

you are at an increased risk of falling

if you have received sedation during a

procedure had surgery spent an extended

amount of time in bed or have conditions

that affect your mobility for example

damaged nerves in your feet can cause

prickling burning or a numb sensation

which can make it hard to balance

if you have a history of falls or

general weakness or if you have a fear

of falling you need to use caution when

moving around your hospital room or your

home your age may also increase your

risk of falling

low blood pressure and decreased

nutrition or dehydration can also

increase your risk of falling

certain medicines for pain or nausea

could affect your balance or strength

side effects of steroids allergy

medications like benadryl and diuretics

or water pills may also increase your

risk of falling

you might need to hurry to the restroom

more often because of nausea vomiting or

diarrhea or you may need to use the

bathroom more often because of certain

medicines and iv fluids

these urgent conditions can increase

your risks of falls

we want you and your family to stay safe

in your hospital room this photo shows

what your room may look like

you can see that the furniture and the

equipment are very different from your

home

because it is unfamiliar to you you may

be at an increased risk of falling

use the call light for help anytime you

need to get out of bed tell your nurse

what you need so they will know to come

quickly

please wait for the staff to come to

your room for assistance before

attempting to get up

there are things in your room that could

cause you to fall like furniture your iv

pole and tubes uneven floors different

floor surfaces and inadequate lighting

remember that wet and cluttered floors

can cause you to fall

always ask a staff member to call

housekeeping to clean up any spills

lymphoma cancer survivor bob rozinski

had several close calls while he was a

patient

my name is bob rozinski i'm a lymphoma

cancer survivor

i had a very close call two or three of

them actually it could have been very

bad

my chemo was going well and it made me

feel better and that perhaps led to an

overconfidence of myself and my ability

to walk around on the floor

once i started stumbling i realized two

things perhaps my shoe choice wasn't

very good and second maybe i wasn't

picking my feet up as much

you're walking around with a chemo pole

and it's attached to a central venous

catheter in your chest if i fall that

could have came out could have broke a

nose a hip whatever it could have been

very catastrophic

it's really critical to listen to the

nurses

they're there for our safety

now's not the time to be embarrassed as

a patient about

toileting and having the nurses help us

you know we have to kind of swallow our

pride sometimes

but that's the price for being safe and

that's really what it's all about

i was very grateful for the nurses

explaining to me about going from a

lying position to a sitting position i

had issues at home prior to being

hospitalized with lightheadedness and

dizziness so that was a life lesson for

me

all of us know someone that fell

and spent a lot of time in the hospital

with a broken hip or what have you

it's simple to

prevent that

we just have to take action to do it

our priority is to keep you safe you can

take action to prevent falls when you

call don't fall

always call for help anytime you need to

get up or go to the bathroom your care

team can provide you with extra support

when you need to get out of bed

even if your family member or caregiver

are in the room it's always best to call

your care team for help

while you are in the hospital your

nursing team will review fall prevention

information with you and come into your

room often to check on you we will also

make sure your call light phone glasses

tissues and water pitcher are within

reach

use the bedside commode if you need to

go in a hurry or feel weak

call your nurse when getting up to use

the bedside commode or the bathroom

toilet

for your safety we will stay close by

and help during your toileting tasks

call the nurse again after you are done

using the restroom to help you get back

in bed

you should also call your nurse when you

need to get up or sit down from the

bedside chair in your room

you should never use your iv pole as a

support to help you walk

your iv pole is heavy and could tip over

it could also become unstable as you

move from one floor surface to another

such as when you enter the bathroom be

careful with your iv line because it can

get caught around things in your room

wear non-skid shoes or socks when you

are out of bed

wear proper fitting shoes make sure they

are not too big loose fitting shoes can

cause you to drag your feet which could

make you trip

don't wear croc-like shoes sandals or

backless shoes

don't walk around your room only wearing

your ted hoes the hoes worn without

shoes or socks are slippery and can

cause you to fall

while you are an inpatient you should

also turn on the lights in the room or

bathroom when you are out of bed this

will help you see where you are going

use a shower chair or bench when

showering

use the grab bars in the bathroom

wear your glasses or contacts so you can

see

clearly sit in a chair when taking off

or putting on your pants

depending on your needs you may also

meet with a member of the rehab team if

requested by your medical team

the physical therapist and or

occupational therapist will determine if

you need to use an assistive device like

a walker or cane

they will show you how to use it

properly

if your nursing team has identified you

as being at high risk for falling they

will explain your personal risk factors

follow these practices to keep you safe

you will be given a yellow bracelet to

wear on your wrist

a gate belt will be used when you are

out of bed walking or moving to the

toilet

a gate belt helps provide extra support

if you start to fall

it is important for the belt to be

positioned low and snug to your waist

and three

you good doing well

by keeping a hand on the belt and

walking beside or behind you we can help

prevent a fall and serious injury

the nurse will take additional safety

measures to keep you safe

a bed alarm and chair alarm will be used

for your safety an alarm will sound when

you try to get out of bed or stand up

from a chair

to keep this from happening always call

for assistance when you need to get up

many falls occur during toileting tasks

call for help anytime you need to use

the toilet or bedside commode

for your safety we will stay close by

and help during your toileting tasks we

will do our best to maintain your

privacy

so let's do a quick review

you may be at a high risk of falling and

a fall can result in a serious injury

including death your risk of falling can

change at any moment

even if you are walking on your own

before coming into the hospital for

treatment you need to call for help

anytime you need to get up

remember to stay safe and help prevent

falls always call your care team for

help anytime you get up even if your

family or caregiver is in the room

talk with your nurse about your needs

use the call light

use the bedside commode

wear non-skid shoes or socks

turn on the lights in your room

remember to stay safe and help prevent

falls

wear your glasses or contacts or hearing

aids

use the installed grab bars and shower

chair in the bathroom

use the assistive device approved by

your care team

for your safety your care team will

provide you with a bedside commode use a

gate belt

use an assistive device to help you walk

activate the bed alarm chair alarm and

or toilet alarm as indicated

we recommend these practices to keep you

safe while you were in the hospital

if you decline our recommendations the

care team will discuss them with you

further

your safety is our top priority

always remember how important it is to

call don't fall

[Music]