Ask Proactive – A nursing home resident rose out of his wheelchair, walked 2 steps, and stated “I am too weak to move any further” as staff noticed his knees beginning to buckle. Two aides assisted him onto his roommate’s bed. Is this considered a fall?

Q: A nursing home resident rose out of his wheelchair, walked 2 steps, and stated “I am too weak to move any further” as staff noticed his knees beginning to buckle. Two aides assisted him onto his roommate’s bed. Is this considered a fall? A: Yes, this is an...

Ask Proactive – Is this a Fall with Major Injury? A resident had an unwitnessed fall and self-reported that she hit her head. No injuries or concerns were noted upon post-fall evaluations. Three days later, the resident was transferred to the hospital due to chest pain and non-reactive pupils. Diagnostic imaging showed a subdural hematoma. Should this be reported on the MDS as a fall with major injury?

Q: Is this a Fall with Major Injury? A resident had an unwitnessed fall and self-reported that she hit her head. No injuries or concerns were noted upon post-fall evaluations. Three days later, the resident was transferred to the hospital due to chest pain and...

Ask Proactive – We had a resident that was discharged home with family, return not anticipated. He suffered a fall after returning home, the family decided they could not care for him and readmitted him to our facility 8 hours after discharge. Since he wasn’t out after midnight, do we have to complete discharge/entry MDS assessments?

Q: We had a resident that was discharged home with family, return not anticipated. He suffered a fall after returning home, the family decided they could not care for him and readmitted him to our facility 8 hours after discharge. Since he wasn’t out after midnight,...