Preventing Patient Falls – A Systemic Approach from the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare Project

This report describes the types of risks that lead to patient falls and falls with injury, the root causes for those risks, and the solutions designed to reduce them. Also included are examples and lessons learned from five of the participating and pilot health care organizations. The case study section highlights individual hospital and system experiences preventing falls with injury.

Five of the participating organizations submitted data throughout the project timeline. In aggregate, these organizations demonstrated a 62 percent reduction in the falls with injury rate and a 35 percent reduction in the falls rate. Five other hospitals have tested the original work with similar results.

Fall Alarms were utilized throughout as an integral component of these Fall Management Programs.

Health Research & Educational Trust. (2016, October). Preventing patient falls: A systematic approach from the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare project. Chicago, IL: Health Research & Educational Trust.  Accessed at www.hpoe.org

Read the Article:  http://www.hpoe.org/Reports-HPOE/2016/preventing-patient-falls.pdf

 

Tips for Helping Your Aging Parents (without losing your mind) – Paperback

Author: Kira Reginato – Gerontologist & Elder Care Consultant

Published: April 15, 2016

As an experienced elder care consultant, Kira has helped countless families and individuals navigate the pitfalls and challenges of caring for seniors without feeling overwhelmed or under-prepared.  This book is a guide to caring for your aging parents and offers handy checklists, product suggestions and easy-to-follow advice.  In the section on “SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE FALL AND ACCIDENT RISK,” Kira highlights the use of Smart Caregiver’s easy-to-use Cordless Fall Monitors to ensure adequate supervision for at-risk individuals in their own homes.  You can find additional elder care resources, including podcasts, on Kira’s website at CallKira.com and her book can be purchased through Amazon.  See links below:

Visit Kira’s Website: Call Kira About Aging!

Get Your Copy on Amazon

 

CDC MMWR – Falls and Fall Injuries Among Adults Aged ≥ 65 Years

Weekly / September 23, 2016 / 65(37); 993–998

Gwen Bergen, PhD; Mark R. Stevens, MA, MSPH; Elizabeth R. Burns, MPH

[SUMMARY] Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among persons aged ≥65 years (older adults).  In 2014, 28.7% of older adults reported falling at least once in the preceding 12 months, resulting in an estimated 29.0 million falls. Of those who fell, 37.5% reported at least one fall that required medical treatment or restricted their activity for at least 1 day, resulting in an estimated 7.0 million fall injuries.  Although falls are common, approximately half of older adults who fall do not discuss it with their health care provider. However, older adult falls are largely preventable. Health care providers can play an important role in fall prevention by 1) screening older adults for fall risk, 2) reviewing and managing medications linked to falls, and 3) recommending vitamin D where appropriate for improved bone, muscle, and nerve health

 

Read the Article:  http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6537a2.htm

 

CDC Podcast – Taking Steps to Prevent Falls

MMWR: A Minute of Health with the CDC, 9.22.2016

More than one in four adults U.S. adults over 65 fell at least once in the preceding year. This podcast discusses the importance of preventing falls among older Americans.

Listen Here:  http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=8643609

 

Monitoring and PERS in Retail Produce Profits

Tap into this lucrative market by Shawn Langwell
Competitive bidding, Medicare cutbacks, slow reimbursement rates and diminishing profitability are a few of the concerns that HME/DME retailers have been faced with during the past 12 to 18-plus months due to the Medicare competitive bidding process.
The DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program was mandated by Congress through the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). Many HME/DME retailers were scrambling to win Round 2 of this process which started in July 2013. Some were fortunate enough to win a bid in the competitive bidding process. Read more…

– Publisher: HomeCare – Spring 2014

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Preventing Elopement

New technology provides better anti-wandering solutions for caregivers by Shawn Langwell
One of the most challenging, life-threatening issues related to the care of a person with cognitive loss is the occurrence of wandering, wherein an individual strays into unsafe territories and may be harmed. The most dangerous form of wandering is elopement, which occurs when a confused person leaves an area and does not return. The risk of wandering is a growing concern of families, long-term care facilities, regulators and insurers.
No one wants to face the emotional challenge of caring for someone who may not recognize us or their surroundings, yet—according to the Alzheimer’s Association—6 in 10 people with dementia will wander. Read more…

– Publisher: HomeCare – Winter 2013

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Press Releases

• Affordable Anti-Wandering Monitors – Nursing Homes, January 2004

• Fall Prevention in LTC facilities – Provider, December 2003 & Nursing Homes, August 2003

• Pull String vs. Pressure Pad Patient Monitors – Provider, October 2003

• Always-On System Reduces Risk – Assisted Living, June 2003

• Anti-Wandering Solution – Contemporary Long Term, July 2003 & Provider, April 2003

• At-Risk-For-Fall Patient Monitoring – Nursing Homes, May 2003

• Alert on Alarm Modifications – Advance for Post Acute Care, February 2003