1. Welcome to Patient Safety Practices Training: Preventing Falls

2. Preventing Falls Introduction
Preventing Falls training is a New Employee Orientation requirement and must be completed within 60 days of start date.
At the end of the course you will find a post test. A score of 80% is required to pass.

3. Preventing Falls Course Content
This curriculum is designed for and relevant to all SCCA employees.

4. Preventing Falls To recognize why falls are a risk for SCCA patients
Course Objectives
To recognize why falls are a risk for SCCA patients
To identify components of the SCCA Fall Prevention Program
To list methods of assisting SCCA patients to help prevent falls

5. Preventing Falls Definitions
A fall is defined as the loss of original position that results in landing on the floor, ground or an object (example: furniture)
Harm is defined as a disruption of structure or function of some part of the body as a result of a fall (this could be a scratch or a broken bone)

6. Most falls are not random…
They are patterned, predictable, and
PREVENTABLE

7. Preventing Falls 40% of people who fall will fall again
National Fall Statistics
40% of people who fall will fall again
2/3 of accidental deaths in older adults are due to falls
6-10% of falls result in a serious injury or death

8. Preventing Falls
Do we have falls at the SCCA?
Yes

9. Preventing Falls People with cancer may be more likely to fall
Factors:
Cancer Type (Brain tumors, Multiple Myeloma)
Brain, Bone Metastases
Fatigue
Anemia
Peripheral Neuropathy (numbness in feet)
Weakness
Multiple Medications
Multiple tubes and lines (oxygen, IV tubing)

10. Preventing Falls
What makes the SCCA patient more at risk for injury if they do fall?
Thrombocytopenia (Low number of platelets) = may cause dangerous bleeding problems
Bone Metastases =Bones may break more easily
Long term Steroid Use = bones may break more easily and skin may be more fragile

11. Preventing Falls Characteristics of SCCA patients who fall
Females are more likely to fall than males
Average age = 48
Average number of medications that may increase risk for Falling = 2.5
(opioids, benzodiazepines, antiepileptics, antihypertensives, psychiatric medications and chronic steroids)

12. Preventing Falls Where do SCCA Patients fall? 1=Infusion
2=Clinic grounds
3=Alliance lab
4=BMT clinic/LTFU
5=GenOncHem clinic
6=Radiology
7=Other
8=All Women’s Center
9=Procedure
10=Apheresis
11=Observation Area

13. Preventing Falls
When do SCCA Patients fall?
SITUATIONS

14. Preventing Falls SCCA Fall Prevention Program Components
Environmental Awareness: Employees receive training about Fall Prevention, with an emphasis on keeping the environment safe.
Patient Education: Patients receive education about preventing falls in the clinic and the home
Fall Risk Screening: SCCA patients are screened regularly for fall risk.
Risk Reduction: Care providers use risk reduction strategies with patients who are at risk of falling.
Communication: If a patient falls in the clinic, this is communicated to other care providers with electronic alerts in EPIC and ORCA
Post-Fall Management: We follow a safety plan for people who fall
Fall Quality Improvement Plan: Falls are investigated, looking for ways to learn from all falls, and make changes to prevent future falls.

15. Preventing Falls Fall Prevention – How you can help
Keep clinic furniture straightened and pathways clear
If you encounter a spilled liquid, ensure it is cleaned up as quickly as possible—have someone stand guard at the spill while you get materials to wipe it up or request housekeeping
Offer assistance to patients who look unsteady
Hold doors open for patients
Hold elevators for patients
If you see a patient hurrying to go through a door you are holding, tell them, “take your time, I can wait”

16. Preventing Falls Fall Prevention – How you can help
If you use a wheelchair, make sure the footrests are attached to prevent wheelchair falls
Return wheelchairs to designated locations so they are available when needed
Keep patients and family members off exam room rolling stools
Call for help if you see a patient fall

17. Look for this icon on your computer desktop
Preventing Falls
Fall Prevention – How you can help
Help the SCCA to maintain a safe environment– report your concerns
If you see conditions in our environment that are unsafe (examples: burned out lights, snags or wrinkles in the carpet) speak up to your manager or enter a Patient Safety Net event (PSN)
Look for this icon on your computer desktop

18. Preventing Falls Thank you!
You have now completed the SCCA Preventing Falls Training.
To complete the requirement and receive credit please close this module and from the instruction page open the associated test by clicking the “Take the Test” button below the course document.