Which intervention best promotes safety for a patient at risk for falls in the hospital setting?

• A. Initiate use of the bed alarm
• B. Place the patient in a room near the elevator
• C. Instruct the patient to call before getting up
• D. Provide a call button kept within reach

Answer: (D)

Promoting safety for someone at risk for falls centers on making help easy to obtain exactly when it’s needed. Having a call button within reach gives the patient a quick, reliable way to summon assistance the moment they feel unsteady or need help getting in or out of bed. This immediate access supports timely support from staff, reducing the chance of attempting to move independently and potentially falling.

While bed alarms can alert staff after movement, they don’t prevent the fall and can contribute to alarm fatigue. A room near an elevator can introduce extra hazards and temptations for wandering, and instructing a patient to call before getting up relies on memory and comprehension and may not guarantee help will be available in time. The accessible call button directly empowers the patient to seek help promptly, making it the most effective safety measure.