Falling Star Logo Training Presented by: Mark Thyen RN, Patient Safety Officer and the Falls Prevention Team

Directions: 1. This 1/2 hour education program is required for all hospital staff. 2. Read the power point presentation. 3. Problem solve the case scenarios. 4. Copy off your certificate of attendance and send it to education. 5. You will be credited for 1/2 hour of safety education.

Directions: 1. This 1/2 hour education program is required for all hospital staff. 2. Read the power point presentation. 3. Problem solve the case scenarios. 4. Copy off your certificate of attendance and send it to education. 5. You will be credited for 1/2 hour of safety education.

Goal: Create a culture of safety for our patients. 1.This medical centers goal is to promote personal freedom and safety for patients with impaired mobility. 2.All staff will be knowledgeable and respond appropriately to patients identified with the falling star logo. 3.Foster a mindset of patient injury prevention.

Objectives: All staff will: 1. Identify the falling star logo. 2. State the purpose of the falling star logo. 3. Understand staff’s responsibility for intervention with patients with a falling star logo.

Objectives: (Continued) 4. Identify and list the purpose of these fall prevention posters: Call-Don’t Fall Put Your Best Foot Forward Take Your Time Wheelchair Safety

This is the Falling Star Logo!

Purpose of the Falling Star Logo This logo is used to identify patients who: 1. Are at high risk for falling and who have had a fall within the last three months. 2. Or the treatment team feels that they would benefit from the logo identification.

Purpose: Injury Prevention. The Key to Prevention is INTERVENTION!!!

Purpose (Continued) Promote for the patient 1.Quality of life 2.Autonomy 3.Dignity 4.A restraint free environment

Where are falling stars located? Falling stars will be located : 1.On patient wheelchairs 2.At the head of their bed to identify the patient at high risk for falling.

Patient fall prevention posters Call don’t fall! A visual reminder to patients to use the call light to call for assistance.

Put your best foot forward! A visual reminder for patients to wear proper foot wear to prevent slipping and falls. Wear sturdy, well-fitted low-heeled shoes with non-slip soles. These are safer than thick-soled athletic shoes, slippers, or stocking feet. Put non- skid slippers on when getting up during the night. Stocking feet are slippery!

Take your time A visual reminder for patients to move slowly and assure that they take adequate time to prevent a fall from occurring. Get out of chairs slowly. Sit a moment before you get out of your bed. Stand and get your balance before you walk. Use your call button for help if you need it.

You can prevent a fall A visual reminder for patients on good wheelchair safety tips. Lock your brakes before you get in or out of your chair. If you drop something on the floor, ask someone else to pick it up. Do not lean forward and tip yourself out. Move the footrests out of the way when standing up, so you do not trip on them.

Staff responsibility in patient fall prevention. All staff are to be aware of their responsibility in preventing patient falls from occurring. 1. Provide assistance for patients who are attempting an unsafe transfer or who are in distress. 2.If you are unable to assist, request assistance for the patient and stay with them until help arrives. 3.Report unsafe patient situations to the charge nurse.

Case scenarios Case one: A dietetics person picking up meal trays notices a patient with a falling star logo on their wheelchair attempting to stand alone. The desired action to prevent falls would be: 1. Patient care is only a nursing responsibility. Continue to pick up trays. 2. Assist the patient to prevent the fall if you are comfortable doing so. 3. Assure the patient’s safety through instructing them not to get up while you go seek help.

Case one correct answer is: 2. Assist the patient to prevent the fall if you are comfortable doing this. 3. Assure the patient’s safety through instructing them not to get up while you go seek help.

Case two: A Canteen worker notices a patient with the falling star logo on their wheelchair in the canteen standing up to fill their cup with hot coffee. The desired action to prevent the fall would be: 1. The staff helps the patient until they are safely back in their chair. 2. The Canteen staff is busy, so they instruct another staff member to assist the patient. 3. Tell the patient that the coffee is bad for him and that he should not be drinking it anyway.

Case two correct answer is: 1. The staff helps the patient until they are safely back in their chair. 2. The Canteen staff is busy, so they instruct another staff member to assist the patient.

Case three: A social worker walks by a patient’s room. The patient has a falling star logo on their bed. The patient is attempting to get up and transfer to their wheelchair independently. The correct response should be. 1. The social worker helps the patient, if comfortable, until the patient is safely in their chair. 2. The social worker instructs the patient not to get up and turns on the patient call light for assistance and remains with the patient until help arrives. 3. The social worker has not completed their mandatory falling star logo education and is unaware of their responsibility in this matter.

Case three correct answer is: 1. The social worker helps the patient, if comfortable, until the patient is safely in their chair. 2. The social worker instructs the patient not to get up and turns on the patient call light for assistance and remains with the patient until help arrives.

Case four: An administrative staff member is walking in the tunnel. They come upon a patient with a falling star logo on their wheelchair who is attempting to enter the bathroom independently. The desired action to prevent the fall would be: 1. State, “I am here to help you.” and provide the patient assistance. 2. The patient insists that they can transfer independently. Therefore, you allow them to transfer while standing by for assistance if needed. 3. Encourage the patient to return to their nursing care unit for assistance with toileting.

Case four correct answer is: 1. State, “I am here to help you.” and provide the patient assistance. 2. The patient insists that they can transfer independently. Therefore, you allow them to transfer while standing by for assistance if needed. 3. Encourage the patient to return to their nursing care unit for assistance with toileting.

Keep in mind….. 1.There is usually more than one right answer to any case scenario. 2.Think through your options. Consider patient safety and injury prevention. 3.Our medical center’s goal is to meet the needs and expectations of the veteran patient.

THE END Please print the training certificate (next slide), fill in your name, service line and date and send it to the Education Service Line. Printing directions: 1. Be sure that you are viewing the certificate slide. 2. Highlight page Click on file. 3. Click on print. 4. Click selection under print range. 5. Click click OK.

CONGRATULATIONS! ________________ Name Has successfully completed the Falling star Logo training on ______________ Date Thanks for improving patient safety! St. Cloud VAMC