Patient Dies After Fall in Hospital

Case Overview

This case takes place in Alabama and involves an older patient who died as a result of a fall suffered while in the hospital. The patient had a past medical history of irritable bowel syndrome and was admitted to the ER with a staph infection, along with several additional medical problems. The patient was admitted to the hospital, where she was successfully treated for her initial complaint. She responded well to treatment, and as a result was to be discharged from the hospital after an observation period. Before the patient was discharged, however, the attending physician found the patient on the floor, where she was bleeding profusely. The patient died as a result of her injuries.

Questions to the Nursing expert and their responses

Do you have experience in assessing fall risk?

I have previously reviewed and testified on fall cases which were similar in nature to the one presented to me here.

What measures should have been taken to prevent this patient from falling?

There are several factors that need to be considered, including whether the hospital had an established fall protocol and how they assess a patient’s condition. Clearly, they misevaluated this patient or failed to have an adequate policy in place.

About the expert

Based in Georgia, this expert has over 35 years of experience as a nurse. She received her B.A. in Communications and Journalism from Georgia State University and her A.S.N. in Nursing from Fairmont State University. Her past positions have included working at Emory University, Piedmont Hospital and Northlake Medical Center. Her experience includes caring for patients in a critical care setting, an open heart unit, a respiratory ICU, a medical surgical department, and a emergency department. A member of both the Critical Care Medical Professionals and Wound Care Professionals, she currently serves as a Staff Nurse for the intensive care unit, progressive care unit, and emergency department at a hospital in Georgia.

E-000212

Specialties:

Nursing