Each year, millions of people, including elderly nursing home residents, hospitalized adults, children, and new mothers, suffer injuries from falls in healthcare facilities and their homes.
Elizabeth Mort, M.D.
Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, The Joint Commission
Patient falls are the most common adverse events reported in hospitals, with 700,000 to 1 million patient falls occurring in U.S. hospitals annually. These falls result in approximately 250,000 injuries and up to 11,000 deaths, according to the National Institutes of Health. To address these alarming statistics, The Joint Commission created its Speak UpTM on Falls campaign, which aims to help Americans reduce their risk of falling.
The Joint Commission’s Speak UpTM campaign acknowledges the seriousness of falls. Statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that falls are the second leading cause of injury-related deaths for those aged 65 and older, and the most common cause of injuries and hospital admissions among the elderly.
Whether residing in a healthcare facility or moving around at home, it is crucial to take necessary precautions to minimize the risk of falling, as falls can lead to serious and even life-threatening injuries. The Speak Up™ campaign provides valuable tips and actions to help prevent and reduce falls.
Key recommendations to help prevent falls
- Manage personal healthcare: Engage in exercises to improve strength and balance, stay hydrated, schedule regular eye exams, and discuss with your doctor any medication side effects that might cause drowsiness or confusion.
- Take extra precautions: Simple actions such as turning on lights when entering a room, keeping walkways clear, using handrails on stairs, and wearing proper shoes can significantly reduce the risk of falls.
- Modify homes: Use motion sensors or timers for lights, place nightlights in bedrooms and bathrooms, remove throw rugs, and apply non-slip decals on stairs and in bathtubs. Home care agencies, personal care and support agencies, or community programs may assist older or disabled individuals in making these changes.
- Take precautions in hospitals or nursing homes: In healthcare facilities, patients should use call buttons for assistance, wear non-slip socks, and inform the nurse or doctor if medication causes dizziness or other side effects.
Speak Up™ posters on fall prevention are available on The Joint Commission’s website in an easy-to-read format. Additionally, the video “Speak Up To Prevent Falls” highlights various ways to reduce the risk of falling. Download the infographic and watch the video, available in both English and Spanish, today.
