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O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4
SLIPPER SIGNALS
Yellow Socks Signify Fall-Risk Patients
W
e turn to patients' feet to identify which ones are ambu-
latory and which ones are at risk for falling. At our hos-
pital, patients identified as ambulatory receive red slip-
per socks, while those who are at risk for falling get yellow ones.
Both colors have grippy material on the top and bottom to provide
traction no matter how they're put on. Every employee is taught
the difference. If a yellow-socked patient is walking alone, a staff
member can immediately stop her, offer help and prevent a possi-
ble fall.
Diana Kuhn, RN
San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital
RED OR YELLOW? Use colored socks to identify fall-risk patients.
Diana
Kuhn,
RN
Cherry Valley, Calif.
twobitranchcv@gmail.com
IDEAS
That Work
