14 Fall Prevention Products for Hospitals

In the United Kingdom, falls are the most reported incident that impact inpatients at hospitals. Data collected by the National Audit of Inpatient Falls found an average of 247,000 falls happen each year in United Kingdom hospitals.¹ No one wants to see their patients get hurt. Find helpful products to help decrease the risk of falls in your hospital!

Fall Prevention Products for Patient Rooms

1. Patient Alarms

Chair Sensor Pads

Patient fall alarms alert hospital staff when a patient begins to stand so they can intervene and prevent a fall. There are a variety of options available, like the Magnetic Alarm that alarms when the cord that attaches to a patient’s clothes is pulled away from the alarm monitor.

Looking for an excellent patient alarm? The Sammons Preston Alarm Monitors might be the right fit for your hospital. The monitor alarms when weight is removed from the sensor pad and can be used with a nurse call button. Choose from Sammons Preston Bed Sensor Pads or Sammons Preston Chair Sensor Pads depending on your patient’s needs.

2. Bed Rails

Side rails can help prevent patients from falling out of bed. The rails shouldn’t be used for patients with an altered mental status, and you should make sure to fill the gap between the rail and the mattress using Side Wedges so your patients don’t accidentally get stuck or trapped. Horseshoe Wedges fill the gap and add padding to the rails to keep your patients comfortable.

3. Non-Slip Slippers

One effective universal fall precaution is making sure your patients are wearing non-slip shoes or socks at all times. The Ladies Patterned Slippers and Gents Washable Slippers are comfortable and have non-slip treads on the bottoms to reduce your patients’ chance of falls.

4. Grab Rails

Install grab bars, like the Homecraft Chrome-Plated Steel Grab Bars, in patient rooms so they have a place to hold onto for support. These stylish grab bars will fit any hospital’s decor.

5. Fall Prevention Mats

Give your patients extra grip with the latex-free Dycem Non-Slip Floor Mat. The high tack surface is great for transfers from a sitting to a standing position and is easy to clean.

6. Fall Mats

Worried about patients falling out of bed? If bed rails aren’t the right fit, consider our Fall Out Mat. This can help reduce the possibility of impact related injuries when the situation dictates that bed rails shouldn’t be used.

Fall Prevention Products for Patient Bathrooms

7. Toilet Surrounds

Reduce falls in the bathroom with the Homecraft Adjustable Toilet Surround. This height-adjustable frame provides a sturdy place for patients to grip when sitting and standing from the toilet.

8. Grab Rails

Add grab rails throughout your patient’s bathroom so they always have a convenient place to hold on to for support. Thanks to its textured surface, the Homecraft Moulded Fluted Grab Rails will keep your patient’s grip from slipping even while wet.

If your bathroom has limited space and you want to add more support, try the Homecraft Drop Down Rail. The rail fits beside the toilet and can be folded when not in use.

9. Commodes

An Adjustable Stacking Commode is great for settings like hospitals. This is because they allow for easier storage. They also can be adjusted in height to better suit each patient. If you’re looking for a versatile option, try the Homecraft Ocean Wheeled Shower Commode Chair. This commode can also be used as a shower chair to reduce your patients’ risks of slips on the wet floor.

10. Bath Mats

Another way to keep your patients safe from slips and falls? We’ve got you covered with the Homecraft Sure Tread Bath Mat and the Homecraft Shower Mat. These non-slip mats help keep your patients on their feet while bathing.

11. Shower Chairs

Having your patients sit in the shower is another way to reduce falls. The Homecraft Lightweight Padded Shower Chair is a great option to help keep your patients safe. If your hospital has larger patients, consider the wider Homecraft Heavy Duty Shower Stool. The sturdy chair supports up to 450 pounds.

Fall Prevention Products for Physical Therapy (Rehabilitation Services)

12. Balance Products

Good balance is an important part of keeping patients on their feet and preventing falls. The THERABAND Stability Trainers are a perfect place to start. They can be used to work on standing balance.

Is your patient ready for more of a challenge? The THERABAND Rocker Board will test your patient’s balance. The rocker board can be used for front-to-back and side-to-side practice.

13. Strengthening Products

Lower leg strength can also have an impact on your patient’s gait stability and likelihood of falls. THERABAND CLX® Resistance Loops are an easy way to work on strengthening your patient’s lower extremities. Try exercises like a seated calf press or an ankle plantarflexion or dorsiflexion.

14. Stairs

Stair use is another factor associated with an increased fall risk. Teach your patients how to safely navigate the stairs using the Homecraft Corner Steps with Weight Bearing Handrails. This staircase has two different stair step heights and adjustable handrails to help fit each patient.

References

1. National Audit of Inpatient Falls. (2020). NAIF Annual Report. Royal College of Physicians. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3x357WG

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.