Falls are a common cause of injury and death for individuals 65 years and older. One out of four seniors experience a fall each year. However, patients in hospitals and residents in nursing homes may fall, regardless of age.
Factors other than age can increase a person’s fall risk, including lower body weakness, medication side effects, medical conditions, recent surgery, poor vision, and cognitive impairment. Fall prevention measures in nursing homes and hospitals are essential. The Morse Fall Scale is a tool healthcare professionals use to identify fall risk factors.
What Is the Morse Fall Scale?
Hospitals and nursing homes use the Morse Fall Scale to assess a person’s risk of falling. It is one of the most widely used fall risk assessment tools used by healthcare professionals. The scale measures six variables. It is a quick and easy way to determine if a patient is a fall risk.
The variables used for the Morse Fall Scale are:
- An immediate or previous history of falling
- Secondary medical diagnoses
- Whether the patient uses an ambulatory aid, such as walkers, canes, or furniture
- If the patient is receiving intravenous therapy
- Whether the patient has a weak, impaired, or normal gait
- The person’s mental status
Each element is assigned points. For example, if a person has a normal gait, the point value is zero. However, an impaired gait rates 20 points. Likewise, a history of falling scores 25 points.
The patient’s scores in each category are added together. If the score is more than 45 points, the patient has a high risk of falling. Scores between 25 and 45 indicate a moderate fall risk, and a score of less than 25 points indicates a low fall risk.
In addition to the factors on the Morse Fall Scale, medical providers should consider other factors that could increase a patient’s fall risk. Environmental hazards such as inadequate lighting, wet floors, and blocked walkways increase someone’s fall risk. Medication use can also increase fall risk, especially when medications cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Why Are Fall Risk Assessments Important in Hospitals and Nursing Homes?
A fall can cause traumatic injuries and life-threatening conditions. Common fall injuries include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Dislocated and fractured joints
- Traumatic brain injury
- Soft tissue injuries and nerve damage
- Internal organ injury
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries and whiplash
A fall risk assessment protects a patient’s health and safety. Understanding a person’s fall risk allows the hospital or nursing home to take appropriate fall prevention measures to reduce the patient’s risk of falling.
Possible Interventions Facilities Can Take Following a Fall Risk Assessment
Nursing homes and hospitals have a duty to implement interventions to minimize the risk of a fall based on the results of a fall risk assessment. Examples of fall interventions include, but are not limited to:
- Supervision: The patient may require a nurse or other medical professional to supervise them to reduce the risk of falls. Patients may fall when transitioning from a chair or bed. The risk of falling increases when the patient moves around and walks.
- Assistive devices: Patients may require medical devices to help them steady themselves when standing or walking. Examples of assistive devices that can reduce falls include canes, walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs.
- Review of medication: The nursing home or hospital must review all medications the patient takes to determine possible side effects and interactions. Some medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and reduced awareness.
- Rehabilitative therapy: Patients with a fall risk may require physical therapy or occupational therapy. Rehabilitative therapy can help strengthen a patient’s muscles and improve coordination and mobility.
- Modifying the environment: Facilities should keep walkways clear and eliminate tripping hazards. They can also improve lighting and install handrails and grab bars to reduce the risk of falls.
By implementing these targeted interventions, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the risk of falls, ensuring a safer environment and promoting the well-being of their patients.
What Are the Legal Consequences if a Patient Falls in a Nursing Home or Hospital in Kentucky?
Medical facilities and nursing homes have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for their patients. They also have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable incidents that could injure patients, including falls. When a medical facility or nursing home fails to perform a fall risk assessment or implement safety measures and interventions, it could be guilty of negligence or medical malpractice.
A nursing home abuse attorney can help you gather evidence proving a medical provider or nursing home is responsible for your injuries. You must prove that the medical provider owed you a duty of care and that they breached the duty of care. You must also prove that the breach of duty was the cause of your fall and you sustained injuries and harm because of the fall.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Fall in a Nursing Home or Hospital in Kentucky?
Injury claims for falls in nursing homes and hospitals include damages for financial losses. Examples of economic damages for a fall in a healthcare facility include:
- The cost of medical treatment and care
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Rehabilitative therapy and treatment
- Lost wages and benefits
- Personal care and household services
- Diminished earning capacity
A fall in a nursing home or hospital can cause severe pain and suffering. A victim can seek compensation for non-economic damages, including:
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Physical discomfort and pain
- Diminished quality of life
The value of your damages depends on the facts and circumstances of your case. Generally, catastrophic injuries and permanent impairments increase the value of damages. However, if you are partially to blame for the cause of your injuries, contributory fault could decrease how much your case is worth.
Your Time to File a Lawsuit After a Fall in a Hospital or Nursing Home Is Limited
Kentucky’s statute of limitations restricts the time victims have to file personal injury lawsuits. It is currently only a short one year. Missing the deadline could result in losing your right to pursue legal action. Factors in your case and exceptions to the statute of limitations could change the deadline for some cases.
Prompt legal advice is the best way to protect your rights and avoid missing the deadline to file an injury claim. Contact an attorney for a free evaluation as soon as possible after an injury or accident.
Get Help With an Injury Claim for Falls in Hospitals and Nursing Homes
Falls can cause severe injuries and impairments. If you or a loved one sustained injuries because of a fall in a nursing home or hospital, you could receive compensation for your damages. Call Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC for a free consultation with a Kentucky or Tennesse personal injury lawyer. Our legal team includes experienced nursing home abuse lawyers and medical malpractice attorneys.