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Module 6 of 8
Screen 1 of 9Introduction
Module 6 · Patient Safety

Footwear & Clothing

What you wear on your feet — and your body — directly affects your chance of a fall. Small changes make a big difference.

👟
Your footwear is your foundation
The right shoes or socks can make a safe walk much safer. This module shows you what to wear and what to avoid.

What you will learn

🦶
Bare Feet and Socks
Why footwear matters before you take a step
👟
Choosing the Right Footwear
What to look for in a safe shoe
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Clothing Hazards
What to watch out for when dressing
⏳
Waiting for Help
Why waiting is the safest choice
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Module 6 of 8
Screen 2 of 9Bare Feet and Socks
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Topic 1 of 4
Bare Feet and Socks
⚠️
Never walk on bare feet in hospital
Hospital floors are smooth and often polished. Bare feet give very little grip — especially when the floor is slightly wet near the bathroom.
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Bare feet
Almost no grip on smooth floors. Also at risk of cuts or infection. Always have something on your feet before you walk.
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Plain socks
Better than nothing, but low grip on polished floors. If socks are all you have, move slowly and hold something firm.
✅
Grip socks
Non-slip rubber dots on the sole give much better traction. If your hospital provides these, use them — they are there for your safety.
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Best option
Flat, enclosed shoes with a non-slip sole. These give the most stability and are the safest choice for walking.
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Ask about grip socks
Many hospitals provide grip socks for patients. If you have not been given a pair, ask your nurse. If you have shoes from home, bring them — they are usually the best option.
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Module 6 of 8
Screen 3 of 9Choosing the Right Footwear
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Topic 2 of 4
Choosing the Right Footwear
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Four things to check
A safe hospital shoe is flat, enclosed, well-fitting, and non-slip. If your shoes tick all four, you are well protected.
  1. 1
    Flat sole
    No heels. Even a small heel shifts your centre of gravity and makes balance harder.
  2. 2
    Enclosed toe and heel
    Open toes and open heels catch on flooring and can cause trips. Fully enclosed is safest.
  3. 3
    Non-slip sole
    Check the bottom — it should have texture or rubber grip, not a smooth finish.
  4. 4
    Well-fitting
    Not too loose, not too tight. Shoes that slip or pinch affect how you walk and increase your risk.
⚠️
Put shoes on before you stand up
Put them on while sitting on the bed edge — not after you are already upright. Getting dressed while standing is a fall risk in itself.
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Screen 4 of 9Clothing Hazards
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Topic 3 of 4
Clothing Hazards
⚠️
Long and loose clothing catches on things
Hospital gowns, dressing gowns, and loose pyjamas can trail on the floor or catch on equipment. This is a common and easily avoided hazard.
👘
Long gowns
Can trail on the floor and catch underfoot. Roll up or tie the hem if it reaches below your knees.
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Loose sleeves
Wide or dangling sleeves catch on bed rails and door handles. Roll them up or change to a closer-fitting top.
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Drip lines
IV tubes trail alongside you when walking. Know where your lines are before you move — ask a nurse to help manage them.
✅
Best choice
Well-fitting clothes that end above the ankle. Nothing that hangs, drags, or catches.
💡
Ask for help getting dressed if needed
Dressing while unsteady or tired is when clothing-related falls happen. A nurse or assistant can help — just ask.
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Module 6 of 8
Screen 5 of 9Waiting for Help
⏳
Topic 4 of 4
Waiting for Help
🔑
The wait is almost always shorter than you think
Most nurses respond to call buttons within a few minutes. A short wait is always safer than getting up alone.
  1. 1
    Press early — before you are desperate
    The best time to press your call button is before you urgently need to move. Press it as soon as you think you might need to get up.
  2. 2
    Stay seated while you wait
    Sit on the bed edge with feet flat on the floor. Do not stand up until help arrives.
  3. 3
    Tell your nurse if waits feel too long
    If you regularly feel you cannot wait for help, tell your nurse. They can adjust your care plan — more frequent check-ins, a commode nearby, or other support.
💬
Waiting is not passive — it is a safety decision
Choosing to wait for help rather than getting up alone is one of the most effective things you can do to prevent a fall. It takes courage and good judgement.
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Module 6 of 8
Screen 6 of 9True or False?

True or False?

Common beliefs — and what the evidence says.

✗ False
"Any socks are fine for walking around the ward."
✓ True
Plain socks on smooth hospital floors have limited grip. Grip socks or proper enclosed shoes are much safer — especially near the bathroom where floors can be wet.
✗ False
"My slippers are comfortable so they are safe enough."
✓ True
Comfort and safety are not the same thing. Loose slippers slip off and catch on floors — they are one of the most common footwear-related fall causes in hospital.
✗ False
"My clothes are fine — I have been wearing them for years."
✓ True
Hospital gowns and loose clothing behave differently in an unfamiliar environment with equipment, tubes, and smooth floors. Check that nothing trails or catches.
✗ False
"I can get up alone if I am careful — I do not need to wait for help."
✓ True
Being careful is not enough when balance is affected by illness or medication. Waiting a few minutes for a nurse is one of the most effective ways to prevent a fall.
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Module 6 of 8
Screen 7 of 9Your Actions
Your Safety Habits
Tick each one as you commit to it
✓
Always have something on my feet before I walk
Grip socks or enclosed shoes — never bare feet.
✓
Put shoes on before I stand up
While sitting on the bed edge — not after.
✓
Check my clothing does not trail on the floor
Tie up or roll any long gowns.
✓
Know where my drip lines are before I move
Ask a nurse to help manage them.
✓
Press my call button early — before I am desperate
Then wait seated until help arrives.
0 of 5 ticked
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Module 6 of 8
Screen 8 of 9Quick Quiz
🧠
Quick Quiz
5 questions — tap the best answer
Question 1 of 5Score: 0
Module 6 of 8
Screen 9 of 9Complete
🏅
Module 6 Complete!

You now know what footwear is safe, when to put it on, what clothing to watch out for, and why waiting for help is always the right choice.

4
Topics
0
Habits ticked
—
Quiz score

This module supports your clinical care. Always speak with your nurse or doctor if you have concerns.

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