Blogs

For fall risk assessment, we use the Heinrich tool, revised slightly for dialysis purposes. Beyond the documentation daily pertaining to fall risk, we do not pursue any specific interventions.
Re trips to the bathroom, we do as Sally states, i.e., the patient's blood is reinfused and the patient is wheeled to the bathroom. Treatment is "paused" and if timing allows, the full treatment is administered.

Adressing restroom use while on dialysis. We rinse the blood back to the pt and it is mandatory for the pt to ride in a wheelchair to and from the restroom.

We have an assessment tool for falls. There are 3 levels of fall risk. We assess: mental status; history of falls in last 6 months; elimination status; vision status; gait/balance; systolic blood pressure variance; medications (pt routinely takes); predisposing diseases. Based on the pt's score, they are rated as follows: Score 0-6=Green precaution=low risk. Score 7-11=Yellow precaution=moderate risk. Score: 12+=Red precaution=High risk. MD's and staff are alerted when someone is Yellow or Red rating.