09.25.2023
Article
Best Practices for Body-Worn Cameras at Your Healthcare Facility
Explore effective strategies for overseeing the utilization of body-worn cameras (BWCs) in compliance with HIPAA.
Learn MoreConsider this claims scenario:
A woman has arrived at a Louisiana healthcare facility on a rainy day. As she enters the building, she slips on slick flooring and falls. The healthcare facility is then held liable for injuries caused by the fall.
This scenario and others like it are far too common in healthcare facilities. The LHA Trust Funds finds that slips, trips and falls experienced by patients, visitors and workers are the number one cause of reported professional liability, general liability and workers compensation claims. In addition, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reports that 700,000 to 1 million hospitalized patients fall each year. Between 30 and 51 percent of such falls result in injury.
From a general liability perspective, LHA Trust Funds Risk Consultants have identified facility entrances and exits as a top risk area for falls, primarily because the mats that are placed just inside the building to absorb debris and moisture may deteriorate quickly. Some reasons for this include:
A growing number of Louisiana facilities have implemented a new strategy to lessen slip, trip and falls. They are removing problematic carpeted mats and replacing them with carpet squares. By placing these carpet squares at entrances, exits and in vestibules, the facility’s exposure to falls is greatly reduced.
Carpet squares have several advantages beyond the relatively low initial cost of installation such as:
Healthcare organization entrances and exits are high-traffic areas that many shoes, wheelchairs, walkers, and canes cross every day. Well-maintained carpet squares can have a positive impact on the reduction of slips, trips, and falls in these areas.
Want more information about fall prevention? Visit the LHA Trust Funds Fall Prevention toolkit here.
09.25.2023
Article
Explore effective strategies for overseeing the utilization of body-worn cameras (BWCs) in compliance with HIPAA.
Learn More
08.30.2023
Article
Explore award-winning projects and find out how your clinic can become the next Safety Star.
Learn More
08.24.2023
Article
The Joint Commission has issued this Sentinel Event Alert that focuses on risks associated with cyberattacks.
Learn More