Fall Prevention and Zero Tolerance Campaign in KAH in Al-Ahsa
The Fall Prevention and Management Program Committee in King Abdulaziz Hospital - Al Ahsa organized a Fall Prevention and Zero Tolerance Awareness Campaign to eliminate this phenomenon as a part of a program targeting patients and visitors. Dr. Ahmad Al Arfaj, the Regional Executive Director of the Ministry of National Guard -Health Affairs in the Eastern Region pointed out that: "this campaign was launched after the increased numbers of cases with pressure ulcers (Bedsores) and frequent falls leading to fractures incidents or death, especially in the elderly and people with special needs".
He further explained that: "these events, which attract large numbers of patients and visitors, achieved the desired objective and most importantly increased awareness about the dangers of falls, fractures and pressure ulcers (Bedsores) and focused on the causes, prevention and treatment methods”.
The organizing committee stressed that falls rates are more likely to increases at home for elderly patients, especially after the age of 60, and the dangers resulting from these falls are more dangerous especially if the head, shoulders, forearms , hips and thighs were injured.
Moreover, the activities included several exhibition corners such as elderly protective services as being the most class prone to fall injuries due to osteoporosis, aging and chronic diseases, with the participation of several departments such as the Pediatrics Department, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physiotherapy, Health Education, Pharmaceutical Care Services, Quality Department, the Nursing Department, and the Safety Department.
In addition, the event’s participants stressed that "there is a lack of awareness in dealing with this issue.” Also, some of the main causes for these incidents are leaving the house floors wet such as bathroom floors as well as not utilizing preventive measures and the lack of home safety basics. The organizers explained "the importance of anti-slip tools such as anti-slip shoes , rubber or plastic mats and bathroom’s safety grips”.
Finally, the event also covered pressure ulcers (Bedsores) for those who have mobility problems, hemodialysis patients, women during childbirth, those with special needs and children. The committee recommended that " the skin should be examined on a regular basis and any changes on the skin should be monitored”. The committee also advised "the necessity of changing the patient’s position every two hours or walking from time to time in the house, and if the patient is in a wheelchair, s/he must be lifted off the seat every 30 minutes, and if the patient is sleeping, his/her heels should be rested on an elevated cushion along with paying attention to personal hygiene and regular showers.