Term | Definition |
Nursing History | Assess for history of falls or accidents,Note assistive devices,
Be alert to history of drug or alcohol abuse, Obtain knowledge of family support systems. |
Physical Examination | Assess mobility status,Assess ability to communicate,Assess level of awareness or orientation, Assess sensory perception,Identify potential safety hazards, Recognize manifestations of domestic violence or neglect |
Factors That Contribute to Falls | Age >65,History of falls,Impaired vision or balance,Altered gait or posture, impaired mobility,Medication regimen,Postural hypotension,Slowed reaction time; weakness, frailty, Confusion or disorientation,Unfamiliar environment |
Risk Factor Assessments | Falls,Fires,Poisoning,Suffocation and choking,Firearm injuries |
Safety Considerations for Older Adults | Prevent accidents. Orient person to surroundings (avoid falls).
Maintain vehicle in working order, schedule eye exams, and keep noise at a minimum.Promote safe environment at home (avoid fires).Use medication trays (avoid poisoning). |
Decreasing Equipment-Related Accidents | Use only for intended use and be familiar with equipment.Handle equipment with care so as not to damage it. Use three-prong plugs.Do not twist or bend electric cords. Be alert to signs that equipment is faulty. Be alert to wet surfaces.
. |
Decreasing equipment accidents | Make certain defibrillator charging indicator light is on |
Joint Commission Safety Goals | Improve communication among caregivers.
Improve safety of high-alert medications.
Eliminate wrong site, wrong patient, wrong procedure, and wrong surgery. |
Joint Commission Safety Goals | Improve patient identification.
Improve safety using infusion pumps.
Improve effectiveness of clinical alarm systems.
Reduce risk of healthcare acquired infections. |
Physical restraint | is defined as any physical or mechanical device, material or equipment attached or adjacent to the patient’s body that the individual cannot control or remove easily. |
Chemical restraint | describes both deliberate and incidental use of pharmaceutical products to control behavior and/or restrict freedom of movement, but which is not required to treat a medically indentified condition. |
Physiologic Hazards Associated With Restraints | Suffocation from entrapment,Impaired circulation,Altered skin integrity—pressure ulcers,Diminished muscle and bone mass
Fractures |
Physiologic Hazards Associated With Restraints | Altered nutrition and hydration,Aspiration and breathing difficulties,Incontinenc eand Changes in mental status |
Effects of Applying Heat | Dilates peripheral blood vessels,Increases tissue metabolism
Reduces blood viscosity, and increases capillary permeability
Reduces muscle tension,Helps relieve pain |
Effects of Applying Cold | Constructs peripheral blood vessels, Reduces muscle spasms
Promotes comfort |
Devices to Apply Heat | Hot water bags or bottles
Electric heating pads,Aquathermia pads,Hot packs,Moist heat
Sitz baths,Warm soaks |
Devices to Apply Cold | Ice bags,Cold packs,Hypothermia blankets,Moist cold |
Role of Nurse: Safety & Knowledge | Factors that Affect Tolerance ,Contraindications,& Guidelines.
Assess Skin & Neurovascular, Protect body part, Apply treatment,
Insulate when necessary
Reassess and Document assessment and effects of treatment |
RACE | R—Rescue anyone in immediate danger
A—Activate the fire code and notify appropriate person
C—Confine the fire by closing doors and windows
E—Evacuate patients and other people to safe area |
Patient Outcomes for Safety | Identify real and potential unsafe environmental situations.
Implement safety measures in the environment.
Use available resources for safety information.
Incorporate accident prevention practices into ADLs.
Remain free of injury. |
assessment for falling | need nursing history & physical exam. Nearly 1/3 of adults fall at home. Common injuries hip break, head tramu & soft tissue injury
Nurses plan for patient - id those at risk, document pertinent assessesmne t and plan intervention to ensure safety |
three factors that put children at risk for poisoning | unsafe storage of toxic products. spending time in environment other then home and caregiver lack of attention. |
older adults at risk for poisoning | take an overdose of medicaton since they forgot or confusionl |
suffocation or asphyxiation | Children highest risk group. Drowing in pool considered suffication. |
Expected outcome for patients that promote safety | id unsafe situation, id potential hazard in environ, demonstrate safety measures to prevent fall, establish safety priorties wiht family members, demonstrat familiarness with surrounding , remain free of injury during hospitalization. |
intimate partner violence (IPV) | domestic violence or battering between two people in close relationship. |