Falls are a significant concern in any care home, with a high percentage of residents experiencing at least one fall annually. International reports state that anywhere from 50% to 75% of nursing home residents experience a fall annually, with one in ten of those falls resulting in serious injury. Statistics show that 81% of falls happen within the resident’s bedroom, often while getting out of bed or up from a chair.
While there’s no database in Ireland with statistics for nursing home residents presenting to hospital emergency departments, a report published by An International Journal of Medicine earlier this year shows that there were 519 ED presentations by nursing home residents over one year with 48% presenting with a fall, see the full report here: https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article/118/4/273/7952023
The use of crash mats in nursing homes can be a valuable component of an overall fall management strategy. They are placed on the floor beside the bed and generally run the full length of the bed. Crash mats can be used in conjunction with other fall mitigation measures, such as risk assessment, staff training, and environmental modifications.
Also known as floor mats or fall impact mats, they are used to cushion falls and reduce the severity of injury if a resident falls out of bed or falls while attempting to stand. Crash mats are designed to reduce the severity of injuries from bed falls and are used for residents with mobility issues, cognitive impairment or night-time confusion.
Crash Mats as Part of Your Overall Fall Management Strategy
For best protective practice, crash mats should be used as part of an overall fall prevention strategy and less as a standalone solution. Other fall safety measures can include:
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- Handrails: Simple yet effective, handrails make it easier and safer for residents to move around the home. Handrails are usually located on staircases, corridors, and bathrooms, with grab rails specifically in toilet, shower, and bath areas. They are also often found at entrances and exits, particularly on ramps and steps
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- Improved lighting: Adequate and well-placed lighting, especially in corridors and common areas, helps residents see obstacles and navigate more easily, minimizing the risk of falls and related injuries.
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- Assistive devices: Assistive devices play a crucial role in preventing falls in nursing homes. These devices, ranging from simple mobility aids to advanced technology, help residents maintain independence and reduce the risk of accidents. Common examples include canes, walkers, rollators, grab bars, raised toilet seats, shower chairs, and bed rails.
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- Nurse Call: A Nurse call System, wired or wireless, allows a resident to contact a nurse or caregiver should they need assistance. Effective nurse call systems are proven to reduce fall risk and give residents, staff and families greater peace of mind.
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- Fall Monitoring Alarms: Devices such as wireless chair and wireless bed alarms are designed to monitor movement, detect falls, and alert staff, ensuring prompt response and reducing the risk of fall-related injuries among residents.
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- Fall Protection Clothing: Products such as hip protectors, non-slip socks and slip-resistant shower shoes can also that can help to minimise falls and fall-related injuries in care homes.
The use of crash mats and any other safety equipment should be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its safety. More details on the importance of this can be found in the HSE’s guide to Work Equipment in the Healthcare Setting.
Key Features That Matter
When choosing the right crash mats for your care home, consider the following:
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- Impact absorption: Specially designed to reduce injury risk from falls, mats should include cushioning such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam for maximum impact absorption.
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- Low profile: A low, one-inch profile makes it easier for the resident to step on and off the mat.
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- Bevelled Edges: Will minimise the potential to trip when walking up to and on to the mat. Bevelled edge mats will also allow a wheelchair to be easily rolled on to a mat to safely transfer a resident from the bed to a chair or vice versa.
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- Size and coverage: With the intention of providing full coverage without causing a trip hazard, good mats should run the length of the bed and be wide enough to fully ensure a that a fall is cushioned.
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- Slip resistance: A special slip resistant underlayer will prevent it from moving on smooth flooring.
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- Ease of cleaning: Cleanliness is crucial in healthcare situations in order to ensure infection control in shared environments. They are latex-free, antimicrobial, mildew resistant, waterproof and easy to wipe down and keep clean.
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- Storage and handling: The design is essential, especially in multi-bed rooms where space is limited or where mats need to be moved daily. Foldable fall mats are available that can be easily moved and stored away if needed.
Getting the most of any fall mitigation equipment can take a little planning. The use of crash mats as part of a broader prevention strategy in a care home is important. Planning and consistency are key to maintaining safety standards, as outlined in the Health Information and Quality Authority’s guidance document ‘National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare’.
Why Crash Mats in Care Homes are Just Part of the Solution
While the use of crash mats plays an important role in protecting residents in their rooms, they can only do so much – that’s why a whole-system approach is so important.
A comprehensive fall management strategy is a requirement for any care home. A key part of the strategy is to include effective communications solutions, and fall management equipment which will go a long way to creating a safer care environment.
Other communications solutions such as Nurse Call, Fall Monitoring and Wander Management also play an important part in ensuring effective fall mitigation in residential care facilities for the elderly.
Expert Advice on Fall Management in Care Homes
SVC have been advising, supplying and supporting care home clients in fall management solutions for over 30 years. We offer a range of fall prevention and protection products that are reliable, flexible and cost effective.
If you would like expert advice on the best fall management solutions for your nursing home or care centre, contact SVC today to speak with an experienced member of our team.
Trevor Lucey is SVC’s Managing Director. Having been with the company since its inception in 1994, Trevor worked on installations and project management before he took over as the Managing Director in 2014. Under his management, SVC has seen significant growth, with on-demand, on-budget projects. With extensive knowledge of communications technology for the healthcare sector and unparalleled expertise in system design and implementation, Trevor is our go-to for custom solutions for each client.
