Your Safety

During your hospital stay, there is an increased risk of falling due to your illness, surgery, medication, and the unfamiliar environment.

Your care team assesses your risk of falling upon admission and reassesses it during your hospital stay, depending on your condition.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

1. Ask for help when needed

   • Call the nursing staff before getting out of bed if you’ve been asked not to move around on your own
   • Ask for help before getting out of bed, especially if you feel weak, dizzy, or during the night.

2. Get up safely

   • Get out of bed slowly
   • If you have IVs, a urinary catheter, or are receiving intravenous fluids and/or oxygen, ask a staff member or a caregiver to help you get up
   • Sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before standing up
   • Make sure the area around you is free of obstacles

3. Wear appropriate footwear

   • Wear shoes or slippers with non-slip soles
   • Avoid walking barefoot

4. Follow the care team’s instructions

   • Ask your nurse about your personal risk of falling
   • Do not move the bed rails or other safety devices without first consulting the nursing staff.
   • Follow the fall prevention guidelines that have been implemented for you and provided to you in printed form

Fall Prevention for Children

Children may be at increased risk of falling due to their age, mobility, medication, or the unfamiliar hospital environment.

Parents and caregivers are asked to supervise their child according to the care team’s instructions and to notify the staff if they need assistance.

Make sure that:

• the child is not left unsupervised when this is not recommended
• the bed rails are used according to staff instructions
• the area around the bed remains free of objects that could cause a fall

Follow the written instructions provided to you on how to prevent your child from falling

Safe Sleep for Infants

For the safety of the newborn while sleeping:

• Always place the infant on their back to sleep
• Use only the crib or bassinet provided for your baby’s care. We encourage you to participate in selecting the appropriate crib for your child, taking into account the care team’s recommendations based on your child’s age and overall condition
• Keep the crib or bassinet free of pillows, heavy blankets, stuffed animals, or other objects
• Do not sleep with the newborn in the same bed or armchair
• If you feel drowsy while breastfeeding or caring for your newborn, ask the staff or your companion for help

The care team is available to guide you on safe sleep and care practices for your newborn during your hospital stay.