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After the fall

Illustrated Story C42, with a text transcript.

Read story C42: After the fall (image and text)
Six-panel story: a hospital patient with unrecognised delirium falls and fractures his hip after his need for mobility support is missed. Treatment and rehabilitation follow, and the ward acknowledges the omissions and checks a new assessment and care-planning routine.

After the fall

Arthur becomes newly confused on the ward. Delirium is not recognised, and the help he needs to move safely is not arranged. He falls and fractures his hip. His treatment includes surgery, delirium care and rehabilitation. The ward acknowledges the failings and changes how it responds to new confusion.

Example case. Names and dialogue are illustrative. Individual experiences and recovery vary.

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Story text

  1. Panel 1. Arthur is in hospital with an infection. New confusion is not recognised as delirium.

    • Ruth: He was not like this yesterday.

  2. Panel 2. The help he now needs to move safely has not been assessed or arranged.

    • Arthur: I need the toilet.

  3. Panel 3. Arthur falls. He has fractured his hip.

  4. Panel 4. Delirium is recognised. He has surgery, pain relief and continuing treatment of his illness.

    • Doctor: We missed his delirium and the help he needed. I’m sorry.

  5. Panel 5. Over the following weeks, his delirium clears. He still needs rehabilitation.

    • Arthur: It’s harder than before.

  6. Panel 6. The ward changes its routine and checks that the changes are followed.

    • Ward nurse: Assess new confusion. Plan the help each person needs. Check it happens.

Bottom band. Recognising delirium must lead to a plan for safe care—not just a label.

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