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ACCIDENT PREVENTION

LTC Nursing Assistant Trainer, April 5, 2006

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There are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of a resident having an accident-especially a fall. Constant awarenes of these risk factors allows CNAs and other nursing home staff to foresee a potential accident before it happens and take the proper precautions. CNAs should watch out for the following risk factors to prevent resident injuries:

Age: Poor vision, impaired hearing, and loss of muscular strength and coordination in older people significantly limits their ability to see, hear, and physically react to potentially hazardous situations.

Weakness and impaired mobility: Residents with diseases that cause weakness and impaired mobility, such as arthritis or congestive heart failure, have more accidents because they cannot react quickly to dangerous situations.

Elimination: Urinary urgency, frequency, and diarrhea cause people to try to get to the bathroom quickly, often resulting in falls.

Equipment: Residents who ambulate with walkers, crutches, and canes may find them awkward to maneuver or may not use them correctly.

History of falls: Residents who have a history of falls are at risk of future falls.

Drug therapy: A large number of residents who fall took sedatives or narcotics within four hours of their fall.

Time of day: Most falls occur during the evening and nighttime hours due to less lighting and residents' increased confusion.

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