Preventing falls for patients

This article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Le Duong Tien - General Internal Medicine Doctor - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital. Dr. Tien has many years of experience in musculoskeletal medicine.

Falls are often accidental, are a type of accident that can have serious consequences for the person who falls, especially the elderly and frail. There are many simple but effective measures to prevent falls for patients.

1. What is a fall?

A fall occurs when a sick person accidentally falls to the floor or other surface lower than the sick person, is a sudden accident and the person may or may not be injured.

2. Who is at risk of falling?

Over 65 years old.
+ History of falls.
+ Health status:
Hearing - vision disorder. Muscle weakness / Joint pain / Unbalanced gait. Dizziness, decreased peripheral sensation. Cardiovascular disease, orthostatic hypotension. Neurological diseases: Parkinson's, epilepsy - dementia, stroke, depression... Suffering from acute or subacute diseases. Urinary incontinence. Loss of water. Need mobility assistance during outpatient visits.

Phòng tránh ngã — Người già là đối tượng có nguy cơ bị ngã cao hơn

3. How can patients be prevented from falling?

- Immediately notify the medical staff when the patient is afraid of falling / has a history of falling / has fallen in the past 3 months.
- Make sure the patient can hear - see well:
Turn on the light before getting up. Eyeglasses within arm's reach.

- When you want to get up and go:
Sit at the bed for a while before getting up. Legs firm, stand up slowly, steady.

Xe lăn — Đứng dậy một cách chậm rãi, chắc chắn

- Can do some simple exercises before getting up from bed or chair:
Familiarize yourself with objects and surroundings, remove entanglement objects, place essentials immediately reach. Using a walking stick, check the wear and tear of the rubber mattress, do not lean on hospital furniture as they often have wheels.

- Make sure the sandals fit your feet, have enough friction, are not slippery, if not sure => Notify the medical staff to change the slippers.

Đôi dép — Phải đảm bảo dép đi vừa chân, đủ ma sát, không trơn trượt

- Be careful when going to the bathroom or going to the toilet because the floor can be slippery.

- Avoid places with slippery signs.

- Report to Nursing or HouseKeepings when the floor is slippery and wet.
- Ring the nurse to call the nurse when you need help, especially when you feel tired, dizzy, have vision problems, have trouble walking...
- Never climb over the bed to get to the ground because it will increase the risk of falling and increase the risk of serious injury for the patient.

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