Fall Prevention and Footwear Safety

As a nurse in a busy hospital unit, you encounter a frail elderly patient who is at high risk for falls. After conducting a thorough risk assessment, you identify potential hazards within the patient’s immediate environment. One critical measure you decide to implement is the use of non-slip footwear to reduce the risk of slips and falls.

However, you're also aware that even with preventive strategies, falls can occur, and you must be prepared. Following hospital policy, you are required to complete an incident report if a fall occurs, documenting important details about the event. When writing the report, you must include specific data points to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the incident.

Fill in the blank: In ... incidents where patients fall, the risk of serious injury is often influenced by their underlying health conditions, their prescribed medications, and the presence of ....