Hip fractures in the majority of patients/residents are related to a direct impact on the hip resulting from a fall.
Fall related hip fractures occur when a patient/resident, typically with loss of bone strength or osteoporosis and insufficient soft tissue to absorb the shock, impacts the ground or other hard surface at or near the hip with a force that exceeds the fracture threshold of the hip.
Hip protectors are designed to absorb shock during a fall onto the hip.
Patients benefiting from a hip protector include those who have frequent falls and health related conditions associated with hip fracture.
SeekWellness.com offers high quality hip protectors to help prevent serious injury from falls.
Patient/Resident Factors Suggesting the Need for Hip Protectors
| Fall Risk
|
Balance impairment Any sudden change of health conditions associated with dizziness and/or loss of balance Starting a medication associated with side effects of dizziness, orthostatic hypotension and/or loss of balance |
| Injury Risk | Posterior (backwards) loss of balance |
| Post Fall | Injurious fall; hip fracture Fall associated with dizziness and/or balance loss Fear of future falls/injury (by patient/resident and/or caregiver) |
| Hip Fracture Risk | Diabetes Stroke Osteoporosis Arthritis Parkinson's disease Functional and balance impairment Cognitive impairment or dementia Diminished visual abilities Use of benzodiazepines or anticonvulsants |
Hip Protector Assessment Tool
| Step 1: Fall Risk Assessment |
Presence of:Balance impairment Diseases/health conditions associated with hip fracture risk Fear of falling/injury |
| Step 2: Mobility Assessment | Positive Sternal Nudge Test (posterior balance loss/impairment) (*) |
(*) Sternal Nudge Test Steps:
- Ask patient/ resident stand with feet with feet about shoulder width apart.
- With one hand behind the patient/resident to catch him or her if needed, gently push on the patient's/resident's chest just hard enough to knock him or her off balance. The normal response is to put one leg back to stop one's self from falling. Failure to do so is suggestive of a balance problem/hip fracture risk.
Posted May 2010
advertisement
