Watch that step!
By John Jannese Chief Executive Officer, COCA

Chiropractors beware …… “a patient may fall off your treatment table, especially when they are alighting after treatment. It is very important treating chiropractors assist and steady patients before they take that first step” says Dr John Reggars DC and Life Member of COCA.

Recently, there have been several large insurance claims of $100,000 and more incurred against chiropractors from patients falling off treatment tables and suffering fractures to bones. Dr Reggars went on to say that, “it is that first unknown step patients take in unfamiliar circumstances, having lost their sense of height and space which can easily result in them losing their balance - much like at the top of a staircase, when you misjudge the height of the first downward step and then fall forward. Patients are often unaware that the treatment table has been raised while they are receiving treatment, especially if they are laying face down, and when asked to turn over they often attempt to get off the table rather than just roll over. By simply informing the patient that the table has been raised and by placing a reassuring hand on the patient as they turn over should prevent any falling accidents and avoid a damages claim.”