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IDEAS That Work
COLOR CODES
Identify Fall-Risk Patients
CAUTION SIGN Yellow socks and scrub caps warn staff to closely monitor patients.
During pre-op phone calls, we ask patients these 5 questions to assess their risk of falling while they're in our care:
1. Have you fallen in the last 3 months for any reason?
2. Do you have any problems with ambulation?
3. Do you use a cane, walker, crutch or other assistive device when walking?
4. Do you have any symptoms of dizziness or vertigo?
5. Do you have any concerns about walking?
Patients who answer "yes" to any of these questions wear yellow non-skid slipper socks. Cataract patients, because they don't remove their shoes, wear yellow scrub caps. The brightly colored apparel is easily recognizable by staff.
Sandy Berreth, RN, MS, CASC
Brainerd Lakes Surgery Center
Baxter, Minn.
sberreth@brainerdlakessc.com
