2. Objectives
⢠Identify safety concerns in LTCFs
⢠Identify safety precautions that help to prevent
residents from falls
â SKILL: Walking an Unsteady Resident
⢠Identify safety precautions the STNA should know to
help prevent resident falls from beds, chairs and
wheelchairs
⢠Identify precautions the STNA should take to
prevent residents from being burnedIdentify the
safety precautions the STNA should take to help
prevent the resident from choking
3. Objectives
⢠Demonstrate the steps of the abdominal thrust
procedure (Heimlich maneuver)
â SKILL: Abdominal Thrust on Conscious Victim
⢠Identify measures the STNA should take to prevent
ingestion of harmful substances
⢠Identify measures the STNA should take if a resident
ingests a harmful substance
⢠Identify measures to protect resident from
elopement and other potential harm
4. Why Safety Precautions?
⢠Mental Confusion
â Alzheimerâs
⢠A neurological illness that affects older adults, is the
result of abnormal changes in brain tissue. Can only
be diagnosed by autopsy
â Dementia
⢠The loss of cognitive function that interferes with
routine personal, social, and occupational activities
⢠Impaired Mobility
⢠Diminished Senses
5. ⢠Encourage residents to wear shoes or
slippers with non-skid soles.
⢠Avoid long gowns or robes that may
trip the resident.
⢠Encourage the use of hand rails.
⢠Ensure residents have non-skid tips on
canes, walkers and chair legs.
Preventing Falls
6. ⢠Check with charge nurse before
applying skin lotions, bath oils or
powders.
â Make residentâs skin, equipment and
floors (such as tubs) slippery
⢠Use assistive devices for residents
with limited mobility.
â shower chairs
â raised toilet seats
â grab bars
Preventing Falls
7. ⢠Keep traffic areas clear of objects and
furniture.
⢠Observe resident frequently.
⢠Instruct resident to call for assistance
using the signaling device.
⢠Answer call lights promptly.
Preventing Falls
8. ⢠Encourage resident to wear clean,
appropriate eyewear.
⢠Always follow plan of care for resident-
specific needs.
⢠Always follow manufacturerâs
instructions & facility policies for use
of all equipment.
Preventing Falls
9. ⢠Lock wheels on bed or wheelchair when
transferring.
⢠Transport resident in a bed, geriatric chair or
wheelchair carefully.
â Slowly approach corners with resident facing
front (forward)
⢠Use gait (transfer) belt if appropriate.
⢠Place a mattress on the floor per care plan &
facility policy.
⢠Use caution with tubing.
Preventing Falls
from Beds, Chairs or Wheelchairs
10. Preventing Burns
⢠Assist the resident when giving a hot
liquid to drink.
⢠Check water temperature before
placing under the shower or in a tub.
⢠Never leave the resident unattended in
shower/tub.
11. Preventing Burns
⢠Supervise residents when they smoke.
⢠Enforce restricted smoking areas for
residents, visitors and staff.
⢠Monitor carefully any equipment that
produces heat when in use.
â May have decreased sensation
â May not feel skin is being burned
⢠Be aware of potential hazards
â Chemical agents
⢠Secure hazardous materials in locked cabinets
12. Preventing Choking
⢠Make sure the resident has received
the accurate and appropriate diet.
⢠Check with the nurse before changing
the diet or offering other foods.
⢠Assure that food is cut or chopped in
small enough pieces for the resident to
swallow.
⢠Feed the resident slowly, alternating
food and liquids.
13. Preventing Choking
⢠Allow time to chew and swallow.
⢠Check care plan:
â Swallowing or restorative dining program?
â If on a swallowing program
⢠know program
⢠be trained on the technique required
â i.e. modified diet
⢠Stop feeding immediately if any
problems arise; notify the nurse.
16. Preventing Poisoning
⢠Never leave harmful or potentially
harmful substances at the bedside or
in unlocked areas.
⢠Remove Styrofoam and plastic wrap
from the trays of confused residents.
⢠Monitor the use and placement of
household plants- many are
poisonous.
18. Elopement
⢠Defined as
â Wandering from a supervised environment
⢠Always know where the resident is!
⢠Know facility policies and procedures.
⢠Report immediately when a resident is
missing
19. Stairwells
⢠Keep doors to stairwells closed at all
times.
⢠Know facility policy on stairwell use.
â Know when stairwells are to be utilized
â Follow facility policy regarding helping
residents down the stairs
â Use a two-person chair-lift to carry
resident down the stairs if indicated
20. Two-Person Carries
⢠Four-Handed Seat
â Carrying conscious & alert victims
moderate distances.
â Victim must be able to
⢠stand unsupported
⢠hold themselves upright during transport.
21. Two-Person Carries
⢠Four-Handed Seat
â Position hands as indicted.
â Lower seat and allow victim to sit.
â Lower seat using legs, not back.
â When victim is in place, stand using legs,
keeping back straight.
24. Two-Person Carries
⢠Two-Handed Seat
â Pick up victim by having both rescuers
squat down on either side of victim.
â Reach under victim's shoulders & under
their knees.
â Grasp other rescuer's wrists.
â From squat, with good lifting technique,
stand.
â Walk in direction that victim is facing.
â Position hands as indicted.