Fall risks in hospital bathrooms

On Behalf of | Mar 2, 2023 | Hospital Negligence

Hospitals and nursing care facilities have a higher rate of fall risks than most other places simply due to the demographic of their clientele.

Because of this, it is important for such places to have plans in mind for reducing falls, especially in places like the bathroom.

Bathrooms as high-risk areas

The CDC discusses how falls prove one of the biggest risks to those over the age of 65. Bathrooms are one of the main places where these falls happen, due to the slick floor that often ends up covered in water.

However, even a perfectly dry bathroom floor can create slip and fall risks. Slick tile or other waterproof flooring can create problems for just about anyone.

What can nursing staff do?

Because of this, it is important for nurses and other nursing home staff or hospital staff to understand what steps to take to provide extra safety.

First, never let a person who is a fall risk go to the bathroom on their own. Next, do not leave them unattended while they are in the bathroom.

It is possible to give a person some privacy while also ensuring that there is no point in time where they could fall without immediately getting noticed.

Next, ensure that the bathroom is always taken care of, clean and without any noticeable spills. This can reduce fall risk for anyone entering.

Finally, ensure that anyone who is a fall risk wears the appropriate wristband to indicate their risk. This can help any other person coming onto shift make easy identification of someone who needs the extra help.

Archives

FindLaw Network