In recent years more attention has been given to preventing slips and falls in healthcare facilities due, in part, to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) classifying patient falls as preventable events that are not covered by CMS.
One of the methods healthcare organizations are employing to reduce slips and falls in healthcare facilities is the concept of evidence-based design (EBD) to choose construction materials and implementations that ultimately create a safer environment.
However, while EBD has proven to be a useful tool in accident reductions, an article in Sanitary Maintenance magazine suggests that ongoing training for environmental services staff on the proper care of floors can also be beneficial to fall prevention programs.
The SM article cites a study conducted by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute that says “contaminants on the floor are the leading cause of slip, trip and fall accidents in healthcare facilities.”
The article goes on to say: “The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) documents that 55 percent of all slip and fall incidents are caused in some way by the floor, versus footwear, fraud and lack of safety signage.”
The article suggests that cleaning supply distributors can be an invaluable resource to the healthcare facility EVS team — providing annual training on cleaning protocols for the entire facility — paying special attention to equipment usage and chemical dilution for high-traction products.
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