A resident, who typically alerts staff of a care need by using their call light, attempts self-transfer from bed and falls. A UTI is suspected because of this unusual behavior, and a UA/CS order is obtained, and a urine sample is sent to the lab. The Care Plan is updated with this post-fall intervention…
A resident, who has been ambulating independently with a rolling walker, falls in the hallway. An order for a PT evaluation is obtained, and the Care Plan is updated with this post-fall intervention…
Many facilities believe that either of these actions is a sufficient post-fall response. But…
Does the act of obtaining a urine specimen make the resident/the resident’s circumstances any safer? It takes days to receive C&S results; is the resident safer during that waiting period? What if the results of the C&S are negative?
Physical Therapy can have very beneficial effects, but it isn’t magic! It could take weeks, if not longer, to have an impact on the resident’s mobility. What happens in the meantime? What if PT decides the resident will not benefit from therapy sessions?
IPMG Senior Care Consultants have defined the above as Action Steps.
By our definition, Action Steps are either:
Action Steps are obviously very valuable, but, as the examples demonstrate, are not sufficient as stand-alone post-fall interventions. They do not immediately address the resident’s safety, and in some cases, are the equivalent of doing nothing, i.e., the resident does not have a UTI, the resident is not picked up by PT.
Action Steps should be accompanied by Safety-Based Interventions that have an immediate impact on the resident’s safety/resident’s circumstances. For the resident whose behavior may be (or may not be) influenced by an acute infection or who may be experiencing a decline in ambulation/strength, Safety-Based interventions could include a change in level/type of staff assist, a change in toileting schedule, silent alarm technology, etc. These Safety-Based interventions may be temporary if the resident does have an infection and returns to their prior level of functioning after antibiotic therapy or once therapy results in enhanced muscle strength. Or these interventions may become permanent.
In either case, remember… Action Steps must be accompanied by Safety-Based Interventions in order to achieve an effective post-fall response!
Contact us today with any questions!