POLICY
Compassionate Home Care, Inc. will develop a program for identifying and reducing unanticipated falls/injuries caused by falls in the home care setting. All clients will receive a fall safety assessment and instructions located in the Admission Booklet.
PURPOSE
To foster a safe environment throughout the agency by integrating safety priorities into relevant processes, functions and services. Improve client safety by reducing the risk for falls. Inform the client and caregivers of their responsibilities and reducing unanticipated falls.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Upon Start of Care, Recertification, Resumption of Care the case manager will
complete a Fall Risk Assessment located in the OASIS booklet.
2. The Fall Risk Assessment includes: fall history, medication(s) and
alcohol consumption, gait and balance screening, walking aides, assistive technologies, protective devices assessment, and environmental assessments.
3. Case manager will implement fall precautions for a total score of 15 or
greater. If the patient is at risk for falls the case manager will implement the following:
• Educate the Pt./caregiver on fall prevention strategies specific to areas of risk
• Refer Pt. to Physical Therapy and/or Occupational Therapy
• Monitor areas of risk to reduce falls
• Reassess patient
4. Clients and families will be informed of the risks identified in the home safety
assessment, and encourage to participate in managing the risks.
5. All direct care employees will attend education programs/ in-services as part of the agency orientation, annually, and as needed to assure safety for employees and clients.
6. All accidents or injuries will be reported to the Supervising Nurse and documented
on an Incident Report.
• All injuries, illnesses and first aid incidents will be investigated.
• Investigation is focused on looking for casual factors or hazards.
7. If the accident involves the client, appropriate actions will be initiated. The
physician will be notified to obtain specific follow-up orders.
8. Documentation of incidents, including follow-up documentation with trends and
patterns will be incorporated into the agency performance improvement plan.
9. The Agency will conduct an annual environmental site inspection to identify
hazards, unsafe practices, environmental deficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
One of the top reasons people are re-admitted to the hospital is due to missed medication doses or taking the wrong dose. While there are many reasons people do not take their medication as prescribed, the most frequent answer is: simply forgot.
Makes Taking Multiple Medications Safe and Convenient!