FALLS
Facts and Stats
Documentation
Must do's
Must do's
Medications and clinical reasons
Tools
The 5 P's of Purposeful Rounding
100
What is "an unplanned descent to the floor with or without injury to the patient"
The official definition of a patient FALL
100
What range of people fall in U.S. hospitals each year.
What is 700,000 to 1,000,000?
100
Following a fall event, the RN must complete______.
What is a KEEPSAFE?
100
This class of medications - causes the urgent need for toileting and increased risk for falls.
What are diuretics and laxatives?
100
To prevent hospital falls, nurses often place this pressure-sensitive "alarm" pad under a patient's bedsheets.
What is a Posey bed alarm?
100
This “P” ensures patients are comfortable and not experiencing discomfort that could lead to restlessness or falls.
What is Pain?
200
This event occurs when a healthcare staff member is present and actively clears or eases the patient to the floor or chair.
What is an Assisted Fall
200
According to the NYP Falls Dashboard, when does the majority of Falls occur in the ED?
What is the "During Night shift"
200
What is getting to the 5 "Why's"
During a post-fall huddle, the CNM and Primary Nurse assess to find root causes by completing the POST FALL HUDDLE FORM
200
A class of medications that can depress the central nervous system, decrease alertness, pain perception, and alter physical coordination.
What are Narcotics and sedatives?
200
These specially designed socks improve traction and help prevent slips when patients get out of bed or walk in their room.
What are non‑skid socks?
200
Checking this “P” helps prevent pressure injuries and promotes circulation by adjusting how the patient is lying or sitting.
What is Positioning?
300
Falls that are caused by environmental or extrinsic hazards, such as slipping on a wet floor or tripping over clutter.
What are Accidental Falls
300
How many Falls have occurred in the Adult ED in October?
What is 1 assisted fall
300
When should the Morse Fall Assessment be completed?
What is "Every shift and with a change in patient status."
300
These medications—especially SSRIs and mood stabilizers—can cause dizziness, sedation, and impaired coordination.
What are psychotropic medications?
300
These bright yellow safety items — one worn on the wrist and one worn as protective clothing — help staff quickly identify patients at high risk for falls.
What are yellow fall‑risk bracelets and yellow gowns?
300
This “P” focuses on making sure patients have what they need within reach—like the call light, phone, or water.
What is Possessions?
400
Falls that are caused by sudden, unpredictable medical events that could not be foreseen in standard risk assessments, such as a seizure or a syncopal episode.
What are Unanticipated Physiological Falls
400
Which gender is at a higher risk for falls?
Women.
Accelerated Bone loss - Post-menopausal estrogen loss significantly accelerates osteoporosis, which degrades balance and physical performance menopause
Lower Baseline Muscle Mass - Sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) leaves older women with less lower-body strength to steady themselves if they trip.
400
Who should you inform if your patient has a fall?
The MD, Charge nurse and CNM should be made aware.
400
This term describes increased confusion, agitation, or restlessness that often occurs in older adults with dementia as daylight fades and evening approaches.
What is sundowning?
400
This mobility-assist device is designed for safe, seated-to-standing transfers and is one of the most effective tools for preventing falls during patient movement in the ED.
What is The Sara Steady?
400
This “P” reminds nurses to ensure patients have easy access to hydration and nutrition needs.
What is Potty or Personal needs?
500
Falls caused by known, predictable clinical factors such as unstable gait, history of falling, altered mental status, frequent toileting, or specific high-risk medications.
What are Anticipated Physiological Falls
500
This age group experiences the highest rate of falls, fall‑related injuries, and fall‑related deaths in the United States.
Who are adults aged 85 and older?
500
What documentation should be completed in EPIC if your patient has a fall?
A nurses note, the post fall assessment and the Morse fall assessment should be updated.
500
Patients who are intoxicated or experiencing altered mental status have impaired judgment, poor coordination, and unpredictable behavior....all of which put them at a ______ risk for falls. These patient often require __________ or ________ ______.
Higher risk for falls. These patients often require clincal or Safety observation.
500
Where are the FALL prevention supply carts?
The Falls supply carts are in triage and near C7
500
During purposeful rounding, nurses must verify that all medical equipment, IV lines, and infusion pumps are functioning correctly, while also ensuring the environment is free of hazards.
What is the Pump or Patient Safety/Perfusion check?