"Nurses play a vital role in improving the safety and quality of patient car -- not only in the hospital or ambulatory treatment facility, but also of community-based care and the care performed by family members. Nurses need know what proven techniques and interventions they can use to enhance patient outcomes. To address this need, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), with additional funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has prepared this comprehensive, 1,400-page, handbook for nurses on patient safety and quality -- Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. (AHRQ Publication No. 08-0043)." - online AHRQ blurb, http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/nurseshdbk/

The average cost of a worker fall is $12,470, increasing to over $26,000 when lost production and other costs are factored in. At a profit margin of 10%, more than $250,000 of revenue needs to be generated to cover a single slip/fall loss. Costs are higher for falls sustained by the public. Slip and Fall Prevention: A Practical Handbook resp

The manual outlines the requirements and guidelines for fall protection during residential construction, as per OSHA standards. The document emphasizes the importance of providing fall protection to employees working at heights of 6 feet or more above a lower level. The manual covers civilian and military setting. The manual discusses the two primary methods of fall protection: guardrail systems and personal fall arrest systems. Guardrail systems are physical barriers erected along the edges of elevated surfaces to prevent falls. They consist of a top rail, midrail, and toeboard. The OSHA requirements for guardrail systems include the top rail being 42 inches above the working surface, the midrail being positioned midway between the top rail and the working surface, the guardrail system being able to withstand a force of at least 200 pounds applied in any downward or outward direction, and the guardrail system being free from any sharp or protruding objects that could cause injury. Personal fall arrest systems, on the other hand, are designed to arrest or stop a worker's fall should they lose balance or encounter a fall hazard. They typically consist of a full-body harness, a connecting device (such as a lanyard or lifeline), and an anchorage point. If a worker falls, the connecting device absorbs the energy of the fall and prevents them from hitting the lower level. Personal fall arrest systems provide individual protection and are used when other fall protection measures, such as guardrails, are not feasible or do not provide adequate protection. The manual also discusses safety net systems, which are another option for fall protection during residential construction. Safety nets are installed below the working area to catch workers in the event of a fall. OSHA requires safety nets to meet certain specifications, including the ability to catch a falling worker and be installed with enough clearance to prevent contact with the surface or structures below. In addition to the specific requirements for fall protection during residential construction, the manual highlights the importance of training resources for fall protection. OSHA provides various guidelines and resources to help employers provide training to their employees. The OSHA Construction Industry Outreach Training Program is a comprehensive training program that covers fall protection and other safety topics. Additionally, OSHA's website offers a wide range of educational materials, including fact sheets, videos, and guides, specifically addressing fall protection training. Employers can also consider hiring qualified trainers or safety consultants who specialize in fall protection to provide on-site training. The manual emphasizes the crucial role of fall protection in ensuring the safety of workers during residential construction. It outlines the specific requirements for fall protection, including guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, and safety net systems, and highlights the importance of proper training and resources to ensure compliance with OSHA standards. ---------Fall protection Residential construction OSHA requirements Guardrail systems Personal fall arrest systems Safety net systems Height safety Construction safety Fall prevention Accident prevention Safety regulations Compliance Risk assessment Hazard identification Safety training Equipment inspection

Falls and fall-related injuries among older adults have emerged as serious global health concerns, which place a burden on individuals, their families, and greater society. As fall incidence rates increase alongside our globally aging population, fall-related mortality, hospitalizations, and costs are reaching never seen before heights. Because falls occur in clinical and community settings, additional efforts are needed to understand the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that cause falls among older adults; effective strategies to reduce fall-related risk; and the role of various professionals in interventions and efforts to prevent falls (e.g., nurses, physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, health educators, social workers, economists, policy makers). As such, this Research Topic sought articles that described interventions at the clinical, community, and/or policy level to prevent falls and related risk factors. Preference was given to articles related to multi-factorial, evidence-based interventions in clinical (e.g., hospitals, long-term care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, residential facilities) and community (e.g., senior centers, recreation facilities, faith-based organizations) settings. However, articles related to public health indicators and social determinants related to falls were also included based on their direct implications for evidence-based interventions and best practices.

Readable and authoritative, Understanding and Preventing Falls provides a guide to the nature and extent of the problem of falls. Drawing on the latest research, the authors outline the combination of environmental factors that commonly lead to falls and explore how to prevent them. The case is made for a multifaceted approach to falls prevention,

"In both hospitals and long-term care facilities it's the older patients and residents who are most prone to falling and most vulnerable to serious injury from a fall. Staff must constantly be on the alert for hazardous situations and know how to deal with falls. This easy-to-read guide provides just the right amount of information needed by health care staff to prevent and manage this common problem among older adults." "This book presents a wealth of practical recommendations, modifications, equipment, and resources that will improve the health and safety of older adult patients and long-term care residents."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved