Without a doubt hourly rounding would be beneficial in so many areas for these patients. Not just falls but also skin injuries, hydration, and overall patient satisfaction. This would be an incredible intervention in the nursing home as well but staffing would be a challenge. In the long run, more staff to accomplish this intervention would be less costly than medical expenses for the injuries from the falls.
Hello, yes I agree that it’s very useful in nursing home settings. But the staffing is definitely a challenge, great point! I read one article that talked about some nurses were stressed out because of a “zero falls” policy and started putting every patient on “lock down” on the unit. Having more staff to help with patient needs/ concerns is something we’ve been discussing in our own hospital.
Hourly rounding for sure is very important in fall prevention. When we do hourly rounds, we talk to patient to see what they need, make sure personal belongings are within reach, environment is clear of debris, and encourage patients to call for assistance. Patients sometimes attempt to get up because they are confused, or may not want to bother staff. Hourly rounding is a proactive approach to meeting patient needs and preventing falls.
Yes, the confused patients definitely
cause concern because of their greater fall risk. We have had to utilize physical sitters more which is a strain on limited staffing in the hospital. The video sitters aren’t much help for confused patients.
Without a doubt hourly rounding would be beneficial in so many areas for these patients. Not just falls but also skin injuries, hydration, and overall patient satisfaction. This would be an incredible intervention in the nursing home as well but staffing would be a challenge. In the long run, more staff to accomplish this intervention would be less costly than medical expenses for the injuries from the falls.
Hello, yes I agree that it’s very useful in nursing home settings. But the staffing is definitely a challenge, great point! I read one article that talked about some nurses were stressed out because of a “zero falls” policy and started putting every patient on “lock down” on the unit. Having more staff to help with patient needs/ concerns is something we’ve been discussing in our own hospital.
Hourly rounding for sure is very important in fall prevention. When we do hourly rounds, we talk to patient to see what they need, make sure personal belongings are within reach, environment is clear of debris, and encourage patients to call for assistance. Patients sometimes attempt to get up because they are confused, or may not want to bother staff. Hourly rounding is a proactive approach to meeting patient needs and preventing falls.
Yes, the confused patients definitely
cause concern because of their greater fall risk. We have had to utilize physical sitters more which is a strain on limited staffing in the hospital. The video sitters aren’t much help for confused patients.