Mobility and Falls Prevention 1 Moving right to stay upright As - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Mobility and Falls Prevention 1

Moving right to stay upright As people age their ability to move can be compromised. This may be because of: • Reduced balance • Reduced strength • Pain (in back, legs or feet) 3

Moving right to stay upright Balance and mobility are often poorer while a person is in hospital This may be due to: • the affects of medications (including anaesthetics) • Acute events and illnesses e.g. stroke, infection, fractures • Cognitive impairment and/or delirium • Pre-existing malnourishment 4

Moving right to stay upright Balance and Mobility can deteriorate further in hospital due to: • their medical condition or • if mobility is not encouraged (e.g. keeping patients on bed rest) All staff have a role in safely mobilising patients 5

Falls in hospital Most falls in hospital happen when people are moving around (mobilising), including: • Getting out of bed • Walking, especially to the toilet • In bathrooms and toilets • Bending over or reaching for personal items 6

Mobility is… “The ability to move or be moved freely and easily ” (Oxford dictionary) Mobility is more than walking, it includes: • bed mobility • sitting on the edge of the bed • sitting in a chair • standing • marching on the spot 7

Benefits of moving in hospital • Prevent • effects of immobility (pressure injury) • functional decline • Maintain • independence with ADLs • balance and coordination • Improved • respiratory function • cardiopulmonary fitness • alertness and psychological well being • length of stay • appetite and sleep 8

Helping staff to encourage safe mobilisation

When moving in hospital It’s important to engage with patients, family and carers re patients requirements when moving around the ward: – Do they need a walking aid? – Should they wait for staff to assist them to walk? – Do they have the right footwear and clothing? – Is the room free of clutter? 10

Information for patient, family and carers 11

Safe use of mobility aids videos These videos show a physiotherapist demonstrating with a client the safe use of mobility aids, including: • how to adjust it to the correct patient height • safety check • safe mobilising techniques.

Mobility Resources Safe us of mobilising equipment balance & strength tests 13

Helping patients to mobilise safely 14

Thank you For further information: cec-falls@health.nsw.gov.au www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au 15