In-service focuses on falls prevention
Wednesday January 23, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
Staff at Forest Hill recently participated in an in-service focused on falls prevention. The in-service, which was directed by an expert from the City of Ottawa, helped shed light on new technologies and best practices in falls prevention and was beneficial to staff at the Kanata long-term care home, says assistant director of care John Donzil.

The in-service, which was attended by about 20 staff members, centred on several aspects of falls prevention, including assessing risk factors, intervention and prevention techniques, as well different safety aids available to residents.

In terms of prevention, the in-service facilitator stressed not only the importance of keeping rooms and corridors clutter-free and immediately cleaning up spills, but also proactive measures such as exercise programs.

Some of the technologies discussed at the in-service included grab-bars for residents to use when getting in and out of cars, as well as hip protectors, a cushioned device residents can put around their waists to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a fall.

Time was also spent discussing the importance of reducing the use of psychotropic medications as much as possible to minimize the risk of falls. The facilitator noted that when residents require medications such as Ativan and Trazodone, they need to be monitored closely because these medications can increase the risk of falling.

“The staff members responded right away and said they would (continue to) constantly monitor the residents’ medications,” says Donzil.

According to Statistics Canada, falls account for two-thirds of injuries which limit mobility and activities for Canadians. Nearly 14,000 Canadians die as the result of falls every year. Because a fall resulting in injury can set in motion a steady decrease in the health of a resident, preventing falls is a major issue in the long-term care sector.

Forest Hill — like other OMNI long-term care homes — frowns upon the use of restraints and avoids using them, except when absolutely necessary to prevent injury, and only after the home has received doctor consent along with permission from the resident or their family.

The home also engages family members to help keep their loved ones safe without using restraints, notes Donzil.

“We want to know what kinds of interventions they suggest we use,” he says.