Just imagine the amount of time it would take to complete all 11 steps. Wouldn't you love to hear what goes on in a "post Fall Huddle"?
Thanks to @anish_koka for tweeting the form.
"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth." Oscar Wilde
8 comments:
Now I know why the nurses can't be nurses and the doctors can't be doctors.
Put up cameras. Take a photo, have patient room # & date. Turn photo in. Done.
I can solve this patient falling from bed problem with a straightforward, simple solution. GET RID OF THE BED. The patient lies on a mattress placed directly on the floor. Nursing care is rendered from a patient care pit that is recessed about 4 feet below the patient. When not in use a retractable cover is secured over the care giving area. If you visit other world countries you will probably come upon the inspiration for the idea. Autos are serviced from pits that have been excavated below the road surface. Third world auto mechanics never had to worry about a vehicle falling off the lift. It would work for patients too. Anyone is free to patent and develop this idea: I made my vast fortune working as a scrub nurse for years.
I don't see raising the bed to "Orthopedic Height" anywhere on that checklist.
Anon, take a photo? You need informed consent. If the patient was demented, it would have to be obtained from the family or power of attorney. Good luck.
Old fool, interesting suggestion. Would every hospital need to be redesigned?
R suggested beds be raised to "orthopedic height." For those not familiar with the term, It's from the classic novel "House of God." Here's the explanation: "The Electric Gomer Bed is the name given to the hospital bed that can be raised up to "orthopedic height" so the patient gets a hip fracture or to "neurosurgery height", where the patient falls and gets an intracranial bleed, needing neurosurgery. It can also be manipulated to give patients any blood pressure desired using the Trendelenberg position." Source: http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-the-house-of-god/objectsplaces.html#gsc.tab=0
Recently I had surgery, and I realized that everyone who had has had surgery in the last few years is now given a fall risk wrist band. I cannot fathom why. Everyone in the surgery recovery room was at fall risk until the anesthesia wore off and we were allowed to get up and walk around. That's the supposed reason for the bands, the real reason I guess is CYA. What prompted this change? Why did everyone going into surgery need to have this, wasn't it assumed that we'd not be able to run around right after surgery while we're still dopey?
Good questions. You're correct that everyone who is coming out of anesthesia is at risk of falling. Many people who receive pain meds are too. Now that I think about it, everyone in a hospital, including staff, is at risk of falling.
Years ago, my mother moved in with me.She had dementia and metastatic pancreatic cancer. On the first night she fell out of bed.
On the second night, the mattress was placed on the floor.That solved that.I have often wondered how it took me 4 hours to solve this problem which the medical establishment has not been able to solve for 40 years.
The wrist band is hilarious. If you are going to give someone a wrist band at least give them one from the Lance Armstrong cancer support center. Lance was an inspiration to many and a big believer in the power of pharmaceuticals.
William, I agree putting the mattress on the floor would work. I'm not sure how practical that is in a hospital setting. I've wondered if padding could be placed on the floor all around the bed. I'd suggest the stuff gymnasts and pole vaulters use.
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.