Sentara programs prevent falls with injuries, early deaths

Falls are a significant cause of traumatic injuries among the elderly. Hip fractures from falls contribute to early deaths. Preventing falls is a priority for Sentara Home Health and Rehabilitation services and our hospitals.

Each has their own unique programs and protocols. A study by the National Institutes of Health outlined how falls resulting in hip fractures often contribute to early death. The overall, unadjusted one-year mortality after a fall with a fracture was 21.2%. Patients who lived at home before a fracture had a one-year mortality of 13.2% versus 30.7% for those in nursing homes, and 23.7% for those in assisted-living. Fall Prevention Week highlights efforts to prevent falls and early deaths from fall-related injuries.

SAFE program by Sentara Rehabilitation

Since 2016, Sentara Therapy Centers in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia have offered a fall prevention program called SAFE; Sentara Awareness for Falls Education. More than 4,600 patients have taken advantage of the program to date.

SAFE provides an individualized exercise and strength building program for patients who have balance issues, unsteady gaits, or difficulty rising from a seat, or are recovering from a fall.

“A broken hip or head injury from a fall can mark the beginning of a long decline,” says Rita Brereton, Manager of Rehabilitation Services for Sentara. “Preventing falls is one key to a longer, stronger, and more independent life. The SAFE program contributes to that goal.”

Each SAFE patient receives an in-person assessment by a Sentara physical therapist, including range of motion, strength and balance. The therapist provides a customized exercise plan and hands-on education. The patient then continues doing the exercises at home. After three months, a re-assessment determines if the exercise plan is made more challenging.

Contact Sentara Central Registration to sign up for a SAFE program near you at 855-852-9066. SAFE is available at Sentara Therapy Centers in Hampton Roads and northern Virginia.

Sentara Home Health risk assessments

While SAFE is a discretionary outpatient program, Sentara Home Health assesses every patient admitted for fall risk, home safety risks, and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). ADLs include walking, dressing and grooming, toileting, getting into and out of bed and eating properly. Individualized care plans ensure patients’ needs are met. This may include training family caregivers in safely assisting patients in standing up, walking and transfers to and from the toilet, and providing in-home equipment for safe lifting and transfers. Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy help patients improve their ADLs until they meet criteria.

“Home Health is a more intensive program, with more frequent re-assessments to measure patients’ progress,” says Sherry Kesler, Director of Sentara Home Health. “Fall prevention and home safety are the priorities in every patient’s care plan.”

Sentara hospitals

“Call don’t fall!” is the plea on the white boards in every patient’s room in Sentara hospitals. Patients are urged to pick up the call button when they need to go to the bathroom or want to move from bed to a chair. Sentara hospitals also use a Remote Patient Monitoring Program with high-resolution cameras on wheels in appropriate patients’ rooms, to help prevent falls and harmful behaviors, such as pulling out IV lines. Safety partners and nurses help patients move about safely. Bed alarms alert the staff when a patient at risk for falls gets out of bed. It’s a team effort, using people and technology, to prevent falls and keep patients safe in all venues of care.