MDS Alert

Remember to get the resident’s account of what happened, if at all possible.

A quick and straightforward meeting, known as a “post-fall huddle,” immediately after a fall occurs in your facility could mean the difference between preventing future falls versus allowing falls to continuously occur. Use this worksheet from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Patient Safety to get started on your huddle process.

POST FALL HUDDLE / AFTER ACTION REVIEW (AAR)

Nurse Reviewer:                                       Date:                                              

Patient Name/ID:                                                                             

Instructions:

1. Hold AAR as soon as possible after the patient fall occurred.  

2. Keep the AAR meetings brief; 15 minutes.

3. Involve the patient if possible.

4. Forward completed review to Nurse Manager, then to Patient Safety Manager.

Type of Fall: ______________________________

Nurse Manager Review: ________________   Signature _________________    Date_____________________

Source: www.patientsafety.va.gov/professionals/onthejob/falls.asp.