When you are hospitalized, you have a higher risk of suffering a fall. The following tips will help keep you safe during your hospital stay. Be sure to keep the items that you use most often within easy reach.
Ask us for help. help in placing these items for you. When lying down, sit up for a few minutes before you stand. Rising too fast from a sitting position can cause you to become lightheaded and suffer a fall.
Use your call light to alert the medical staff when you need to get out of bed and wait for help to arrive. Be sure to use your eyeglasses, hearing aids, or any other audio-visual aids you may require. Wear shoes or the socks provided to you with non-skid soles.
It is helpful to avoid floppy slippers, loose stockings, and bare feet. If needed, be sure to use your walker when walking, including to the bathroom. Be careful in walking with an IV pole.
Do not rely on the pole for support. It is not stable enough to support you. If you start to fall, avoid using the pole to prevent your fall.
Doing so could result in taking the IV pole down with you or pulling the IV from your arm. Always be sure to tell us if you've suffered any recent falls. Tell us if you feel dizzy, weak, lightheaded, or unsteady.
If you feel If you feel unsteady, please don't hesitate to call us. We're seconds away and happy to help. Many falls occur while in the bathroom. Utilize the blue pull cords to call the nurse for assistance.
Be sure not to move and wait for help to arrive. Call as many times as needed until hospital staff arrives. Remember to pull the cord as hard as you can until you see the green light.
The green light confirms. that the call has been sent to the nurse's station and help will arrive immediately. Some medications can make you dizzy, change the feeling in your toes and feet, or cause your blood pressure to drop when you stand up. When moving in bed or walking, be aware of all your tubes and lines. You are in a new environment and may wake up disoriented.
Do not use your IV pole to assist with standing up. Use your hand to help you. to push off your mattress to stand up. We want you to ask us for help so we can keep you safe during your stay.
These tips will help to assure the best possible stay with us here at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Your safety is our primary concern. Call so you don't fall.