Hospitals are unfamiliar places and this can be a challenge when you are also unwell or injured. You might feel dizzy or weaker and less steady than you expect, when you get up. You may be at risk of falling. Staff want to keep you safe and avoid falls, but we need your help.
See the Keeping safe and independent in hospital fact sheet (PDF 231KB) for information on:
- what you can do during the hospital stay
- walking around the hospital
- things to be mindful of when getting up and walking around
- tips to avoid dizziness.
Non-slip socks
Non-slip socks are not a substitute for safe, well-fitting footwear and there is limited evidence that they reduce falls. If your shoes or slippers don’t meet the criteria for ‘safe footwear,’ we may ask if safe footwear can be brought in for you. If this isn’t possible, talk to your treating team, they may provide non-slip socks if no other alternatives are available.
Delirium
Delirium is a sudden change in mental status. It develops over a short period of time (hours to days). It is characterised by a disturbance of consciousness, attention, cognition, restlessness, agitation, and perception.
A person with a delirium is at increased risk of falls and longer stay in hospital. Delirium must be managed by your/the patient’s treating team as quickly as possible in order to help prevent falls from occurring.
For more information, see Preventing delirium and managing cognitive impairment.
Medication management
Some medications can increase a person’s risk of falling, these include psychotropics (antipsychotics, antidepressants, sedatives/hypnotics) and opioids. Taking multiple medications is associated with an increased fall risk, as a result of adverse reactions to one or more of the medications, drug interactions, or incorrect use of some or all of the medications.
If you/your family or loved one is in hospital and on multiple or new medications, be sure to talk to your treating team about the risk of falling and what can be done to reduce this risk.
Contact
Safety and Quality
Telephone: (08) 8226 9599
Email: Health.DHWClinicalGovernanceEnquiries@sa.gov.au