Preventing Falls and Injury While in the Hospital
You have one or more health conditions that make it likely that you may either fall or become injured if you
fall. Knowing that you are more likely to fall, we want to work with you to prevent you from falling and being
injured during your hospital stay.
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An X marks your risk factors for falling:
• Dizziness or fainting
• Seizure disorder
• Irregular heartbeats
• Low blood pressure
• Recovering from surgery or other procedure
• History of falling
• Problems with walking or moving
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Why are falls
dangerous for me?
Falls can lead to broken bones and head injuries that can slow your recovery and keep you
from returning home.
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• Problems with using the bathroom
• Memory loss or confusion
• Taking medications that cause you to
become drowsy
• Nerve block, medication, or anesthesia that
causes you to have trouble walking
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To prevent unexpected falls:
• Use your call light when you need help
• Call and please wait for help
• Get up slowly from the bed or chair to prevent
a fall if you become dizzy
• Keep personal items within your reach
• Wear non-skid slippers when out of bed.
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An X marks your risk factors for
a fall-related injury:
• Osteoporosis (brittle bones)
• Metastatic bone disease (cancer)
• Blood thinning medications
• Bleeding disorders
• Blood clotting disorders
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• Use your walker, cane,
brace(s), or wheelchair
to help you walk safely
• Wear your glasses
while active
• Use a night light
• Follow walking
instructions of your
nurse, therapist or
doctor/surgeon
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 x39250 (2/2024)
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Continued
Preventing Falls and Injury While in the Hospital, Page 2
Keeping you safe
Here are some ways that you and your caregivers can keep you safe during your hospital stay:
| Medications Some medications can make you feel weak or dizzy.
To prevent falls due to medications, your plan of care includes:
• Avoid sleeping pills and medicines that make
your drowsy.
• Some of the medicines that you are taking
can make you weak or dizzy:
__________________________________
• When you get out of bed, get up slowly.
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Walking to stay active
Staying active helps to prevent falls.
Your plan of care includes:
• Wear non-skid footwear.
• Keep your strength by walking
in your room and in the hall 1
or 2 times a day.
• Use your walker or cane and
brace(s) (as appropriate), or
walk with help.
• Focus on your walking:
Avoid doing other things at
the same time.
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Using the bathroom
To keep you safe when you use the bathroom,
your plan of care includes:
• Call for assistance to the bathroom
before your need is urgent.
• Use your cane or walker (and brace if
prescribed) and move slowly.
• Use the bedside commode if you cannot
walk to the bathroom safely or if you have
an urgent need.
• We will offer to take you to the toilet at
regular times. If you need to go before we
come, please use your call light.
• Use grab bars in the bathroom.
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• Use handrails when you are walking in the hall.
• PT recommendations:
______________________________________
______________________________________
Keeping you safe if you are forgetful
To prevent falls and injuries, your plan of
care includes:
• A bed or chair alarm has been placed to keep
you safe. It will sound if you get up without help.
• We will stay with you while you are on the toilet.
• A low bed helps prevent fall injuries.
• Your family may want to stay with you while you
are in the hospital.
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x39250 (2/2024)