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Summary
Long term care facilities face challenges with resident falls and the reduction of bed siderails, which are considered restraints. Efforts focus on preventing fall-related injuries during transfers and bed mobility.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Healthcare Management
- Patient Safety
Background:
- The long term care industry grapples with significant challenges, notably resident falls and the use of bed siderails as restraints.
- There is a nationwide initiative to reduce and eliminate patient restraints, including siderails, in care settings.
- Resident falls are a critical concern, leading many facilities to establish dedicated Falls Committees.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the prominent issues of resident falls and the use of bed siderails in long term care.
- To explore strategies for reducing and eliminating restraints while managing the risk of falls.
- To highlight the importance of falls prevention committees in mitigating resident injuries.
Main Methods:
- Review of current practices in long term care regarding restraints and fall prevention.
- Analysis of the challenges faced by care providers in implementing restraint reduction policies.
- Examination of the role and focus of Falls Committees within facilities.
Main Results:
- Bed siderails are increasingly viewed as restraints, necessitating their reduction or elimination.
- Falls remain a major safety concern, with significant focus on preventing associated injuries.
- Facilities are actively forming committees to address and mitigate fall risks.
Conclusions:
- Reducing bed siderails is a key objective in long term care, aligning with restraint reduction goals.
- Comprehensive fall prevention strategies are essential to protect residents from injury.
- The focus on falls and restraint reduction requires a multi-faceted approach within long term care settings.