Fall Facts & Statistics
A sudden, unintentional descent that results in a patient coming to rest on the floor, another surface, person, or object.
What is a fall?
These medications, commonly prescribed for heart failure, can increase fall risk by causing frequent trips to the bathroom.
What are diuretics?
This intervention should always occur before helping ambulate a patient who recently received any antihypertensives or diuretics.
What is assessing for dizziness or orthostatic symptoms?
Before moving a patient after a fall, nurses must first assess for this.
What is injury?
This Epic workflow standardizes documentation after a fall.
What is the Post-Fall Navigator?
What is the term for a fall that results in a serious injury.
What is a never event?
This condition commonly occurs after standing and can cause dizziness and falls in cardiac patients.
What is orthostatic hypotension?
A CHF patient has urinated every hour since receiving IV Lasix. Which prevention strategy should be implemented?
What is frequent or scheduled toileting assistance?
In addition to vital signs, diabetic patients should have this assessment completed after a fall.
What is a blood glucose check?
After completing the Post-Fall Navigator, nurses should create this type of note that automatically pulls in post-fall documentation.
What is a Fall Note (progress note)?
3PCU fall with injury rates were this many falls per 1,000 patient days in 2025.
What is 1.07 falls per 1,000 patient days?
This medication-related issue increases the risk of falls in older adults.
What is polypharmacy?
During hourly rounds, nurses should assess what is often called the "4 Ps."
What are Pain, Potty, Position, and Possessions?
A patient on warfarin experiences an unwitnessed fall but denies hitting their head. What risk factor alone should increase your level of concern?
What is anticoagulation therapy?
Name three people who should be notified after a patient falls?
Who are the provider, charge nurse, and the patient's primary contact?
What is 0.38 falls per 1,000 patient days?
Patients with atrial fibrillation are at risk for falls because they may experience this symptom.
What is dizziness, lightheadedness, or syncope?
What is bed and chair alarms?
Name three symptoms that require immediate notification of the provider after a fall.
What are confusion, decreased LOC, abnormal neurologic findings, severe headache, vomiting, new weakness, or clinical deterioration? (Any three.)
This report is still required to be completed along with the Post-Fall Navigator.
What is a Patient Safety Report?
About this fraction of hospital falls are considered preventable.
What is one-third?
Patients receiving beta-blockers may be more likely to fall because these medications can cause this symptom.
What is bradycardia or dizziness?
A patient receiving Eliquis, Lasix, and metoprolol reports dizziness when standing. Name three fall prevention interventions.
What are assist with ambulation, bed alarm, scheduled toileting, orthostatic assessment, hourly rounding, patient education, and call light within reach? (Any three)
For witnessed falls with a head strike or unwitnessed falls, neurological monitoring is performed at this frequency initially.
What is hourly for 4 hours, then every 4 hours for 24 hours?
Name four required event details that must be documented after a fall.
What are time of fall, location, position found, events preceding fall, witnesses, patient statement, or assessment findings? (Any four)