We Need Fall Prevention Training

The occurrence of falls in older adults are common and can result in serious injuries, even death. Owing to multifaceted changes in the aging, falls and related injuries are rampant in the healthcare settings. Moreover, the decline in the involvement and inspirational level of older adults in fall prevention measures continues to be a challenge. Hence, increasing the motivational level of this older populace in fall preventive plans is of

This topic is important to me as I am the Director of Nursing at a 258-bed long term care facility. My facility consistently performs in the 75th percentile for falls when compared to long term care facilities nationally. In addition, our falls with major injury have doubled in the last 6 months. Hence, fall prevention in nursing homes is of utmost importance to me as decreasing falls and falls with major injury is essential for improving our quality of care.

Individuals sustaining a fall is a troublesome issue worldwide. The risk of falling is enhanced as a result of hospitalization due to the unfamiliarity of the surround environment, sickness and treatments. The fall itself and associated inuries imposes a burden on the individual and the entire health care system. It can have a lingering effect on the individual resulting in limited mobility, which imposes declining functionality and a heightened probability of additional occurrences of falling 4. As individuals age, the probability of being injuries as a result of a fall increases dramatically and in the case of necessary hospitalization, results in increased costs and prolonged periods of stay (Dykes et al., 2010).

This article utilized some programs that are similar the field experience site. Therefore, one can use this article as a reference to modify and adjust the current fall prevent protocol to make an effective change to reduce falls in the hospital. Furthermore, the article also recommends education related to fall prevention that can be useful content in the transition program.

Falls are the most frequent and devastating accidents in older adult (WHO, 2004). There are different interpretations related to falls. For instance, according to healthcare professions fall is an event leading to ill health and injuries, whereas older adults define it as a loss of balance (Zecevic et al., 2006). Approximately, 28% to 35% older adults age 65 years and older fall each year (WHO, 2007). Around 85% of these falls occurs in the home among older adults living independently (Tideiksaar, 1987). Falls accounts for 40% of all fatal injuries (Rubenstein, 2006). Fall is a reason for 25% of all hospital admissions, 40% of all nursing home admissions and 40% of those admitted do not return to independent living (Learn not to fall,

There’s an increased rate at which patients fall in hospital settings are affecting the healthcare industries, patients and family members. According to studies performed, it is evident that those who are mainly affected are the adults that are over 60 years of age. Some of the factors that lead to these falls are; visual impairments, wrong footwear and tripping are some of the external causes of falls among these hospitalized patients. Because this has become a major concern, research has embarked on how these factors have led to increased falls in these patients. Adult patients falls are major threat to patients safety and cost management in hospitals making prevention measures a key area of concern and

In the article “The Effectiveness of a Fall Prevention/Management Program In Reducing Patient Falls: A Retrospective Study,” Urquhart Wilbert (2013) discussed the problem of increased falls among the elderly population while they are in the hospital or a long term care setting. She discussed that falls are associated with risk factors that are recognizable and if they get attention then the risk

The definition of the concepts ‘fall prevention’ has not really been an issue in the fall related studies. That notwithstanding, fall prevention is defined as a variety of actions to help reduce the number of accidental falls suffered by older people. These actions are done in processes that has been defined in specific guidelines (NICE, 2013 and WHO, 2012). Fall prevention is effective when it integrates policy (PO), preventive measures (PM) and practice (PA)(WHO, 2007; NICE, 2013)

Upon development and distribution of the pamphlet, a meeting was set up with multi-disciplines to identify areas of improvement and potential disparities in current fall practice. During this meeting area of knowledge, deficits were identified in all disciplines. The meeting outlined a framework to complete education to all disciplines to prevent falls and to treat patients appropriately post fall. The areas of deficit identified were the area of promoting a safe culture for the patients; rapid assessments pre-fall and post-fall (National Quality Forum,

Many more things could be implemented in preventing falls for patients in acute care and long-term care. Medication alternation, non-skid socks, and low bed positions are only a few interventions. Understanding that we do not live in a perfect world but with the help from the physicians, registered nurses, and the assistant personnel, accomplishing these preventive measures should be

There has been a substantial body of research building in regards to patient falls due to the injuries and the liabilities that may result from these situations. Fall-related injuries can be some of the most common, disabling, and expensive health conditions encountered by adults, especially older adults (Simmons, 2010). The research has identified many specific risk factors including environmental hazards, adaptive equipment maintenance, psychotropic drug use, physical therapy or exercise, staff education, post fall problem solving, and hip protectors (Colon-Emeric, et al., 2006). However, using these

Every unit that I had clinical rotations on, take fall prevention very seriously. I agree with you when you said that falls should be prevented, rather then have to put precautions after something already occurred.Therefore, it's important for us to learn different ways to avoid this problem. In addition to all the interventions mentioned on your post, I would add a little encouragement to this patient population, to initiate the recommended interventions. I see a lot of patients that are capable of initiating this recommended interventions, but for some reason are discouraged, or have lack of support.

A proactive approach for the prevention of falls is to know the primary causes that led up to these injuries. Inquiries like, was there a foreign object on the surface, or a design flaw with the surface, was the surface wet/icy, or did the injured worker have a physical impairment

of older Americans and increase their quality of life. The establishment of evidenced-based fall prevention programs can serve

Fall is defined as an unintentional incident, which results into the landing of a body on the ground or lower level, but not as a result of a loss of consciousness, violet blow, or sudden onset of paralysis such as stroke or an epileptic seizure (Sherrington et al., 2016). Falls can happen to individuals of any age, however the occurrence is very common among older adults. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ([CDC], 2016), in the U.S. almost one out of three community-dwelling older adults who are 65 years or older fall each year. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries, disability, and loss of independence among older adults (Sherrington et al., 2016) and often lead to hospitalization, institutionalization,