Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Fall Prevention in Hospitals, Paediatric
Fall Prevention in Hospitals, Pediatric
Falls can cause serious injuries, but they can be prevented. Make sure you know what you and your child’s healthcare team can do to prevent your child from falling.
If your child falls in the hospital, tell hospital staff about it.
What can increase my child’s risk of falls?
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Being younger than 3 years old.
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Having trouble with balance or walking.
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Having surgery or being in the hospital for several days.
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Having tubes in place, such as IVs or catheters.
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Having fallen in the past.
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Having trouble thinking clearly (cognitive impairment).
What actions can I take to prevent falls?
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Ask about which fall prevention strategies will be in place for your child. Have a plan in place for your child’s team to watch your child when you are not there.
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Ask what kind of help your child needs when moving around. Make sure that your child understands when they need to ask for help.
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Have your child wear non-skid footwear, such as non-skid shoes or slippers, when they are out of bed.
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Do not let your child climb on furniture or other hospital equipment.
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Help your child get out of bed slowly. Encourage your child to sit at the side of the bed for a few minutes before standing up.
What does the hospital staff do to help prevent falls?
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Discussing your child’s fall risks and making a personalised fall prevention plan.
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Checking in on your child regularly to see if your child needs help. Some hospitals use video monitoring that allows a staff member to come to your child if your child needs help.
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Using an alarm on your child’s hospital bed. This is an alarm that goes off if your child gets out of bed and forgets to call for help.
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Keeping your child’s bed in a low and locked position.
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Keeping the area around your child’s bed and bathroom well-lit and not cluttered.
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Having a staff person stay with your child (one-on-one observation), even when they are using the bathroom. This is for your child’s safety.
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Removing unnecessary equipment or tubes from your child’s room to lower the risk of tripping.
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Using safety equipment, such as:
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A belt around your child’s waist.
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Walking frames, crutches and other walking devices for support.
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Safety rails on your child’s bed or cot.
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Cushions on the floor next to the bed.
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What other actions can I take to prevent falls?
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Check in regularly with your child’s provider or pharmacist to review all the medicines that your child takes.
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Talk with a physiotherapist if recommended by your child’s provider. A physiotherapist can help your child learn to do exercises to improve movement and strength.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
