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Fall Prevention

In: Social Issues

Submitted By mishy09
Words 877
Pages 4
Michelle Purcell
Ms. Williams
EBP Project One of the most dangerous activities for hospital patients is the seemingly simple act of getting out of bed; it can lead to a hard fall, serious injuries and several thousands of dollars in added medical bills. Studies show that falls are most likely to happen between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and are commonly the result of patients getting up to use the bathroom. Patient’s most at risk for falls are those who are elderly, forgetful, or possibly confused; who even if you give them instructions, may not remember.
Accidental falls are the leading cause of injury and death in adults over the age of 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is a problem even in U.S. hospitals, which employ various means of making sure at-risk patients stay safe. Still, falls happen, and they come with a cost.
• 2.3 million: Number of nonfatal fall injuries among older adults that were treated in ER.
• 662,000: Number of those ER patients that were hospitalized as a result of falls.
• 25 percent: Percentage of hospital falls that result in injuries.
• 2 percent: Percentage of hospital falls that result in medical complications.
• $4,000: Average dollar amount added to medical bills as a result of inpatient falls.
(Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the University of Florida Academic Health Center)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, “requires that a healthcare facility be a safe environment and setting for care. Facilities that don’t meet this requirement can be cited for immediate jeopardy and lose their eligibility to provide services”. CMS also requires that the safety of patients at risk be assessed regularly and corrected if found to be deficient. A facility that fails to correct deficiencies is violating conditions of participation and could lose its Medicare or

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