Falls and Fall Prevention
Definition: An unplanned descent to the floor, with or without injury. Fall prevention programs must include risk assessment, individualized interventions, post-fall assessment, and monitoring of fall-related quality indicators.
In Practice
Falls are one of the most common adverse events in nursing homes and a frequent area of survey focus. Surveyors examine whether facilities properly assess fall risk, implement appropriate interventions (bed alarms, non-slip footwear, environmental modifications), investigate each fall, and adjust care plans accordingly. F-Tag 0689 covers accident prevention including falls.