Strategies to Reduce Risk of Fall-Related Injuries in Rehabilitation Nursing

Abstract

Rehabilitation nurses are in a critical position to lead interdisciplinary team fall prevention management, including injury risk reduction. This article provides an update for rehabilitation nurses on evidence-based strategies to reduce patients'risk of fall-related injuries. This content builds on existing literature by focusing on knowledge to promote patient responses that reduce the risk of falls and ultimately fall-related injuries. Although rehabilitation nurses understand the complex nature of falls, addressing the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors that increase the risk of fall-related injuries requires both individually based treatment programs and a system-wide commitment. A plethora of literature discusses fall risks and falls, but this article profiles the at-risk patient and describes current and emerging evidence-based interventions to protect patients from fall-related injuries by reducing risk factors. This discussion is limited to exercise, environmental redesign, osteoporosis prevention, and hip protectors.

Patient falls: acute care nurses’ experiences

“…A geographical layout that kept patients within sight of the nurses’ station allowed nurses to know their patients as safe. Research has shown that ward layouts and designs that decrease patient visibility increase fall rates (Quigley et al. 2007).…”

A retrospective analysis of bilateral fractures over sixteen years: localisation and variation in treatment of second hip fractures

“…Taking these facts into consideration, it is obvious that all our efforts should go towards preventing first and second hip fractures. Different strategies to prevent hip fractures and consequent hip fracture surgery have been introduced to reduce the incidence of a second hip fracture [8–10]. An alternative approach to prevention could be femorplasty of the contra-lateral hip during the surgery of the first hip fracture [11, 12].…”

Modifiable and Nonmodifiable Risk Factors for Falls After Traumatic Brain Injury: An Exploratory Investigation With Implications for Medication Use

“…Although safety checklists for home environments are commonly employed by rehabilitation and medical professionals, it is more important to examine how an individual uses and perceives his or her environment than to examine the actual components of that environment. Specifically, individuals with cognitive impairment may misinterpret the safety of a given environment or use poor judgment (Quigley, Bulat & Hart-Hughes, 2007).…”