Fall Prevention Project
The target audience for this fall prevention plan consists of RNs and LPNs who work at nursing home facilities, or otherwise work with the elderly. There is a strong body of evidence that shows that fall-related injuries to the elderly are associated with negative health outcomes that go beyond the immediate injury. The elderly are more at risk of falling than other patients are, and nursing homes are not always properly equipped, designed to prevent falls. Further, the staff at nursing homes do not always have the best possible training with respect to fall prevention. Nursing homes experience 1.5 falls per bed per year, and there are a number of precipitating causes (Rubenstein, Josephson & Robbins, 1994).
The main causes of falls in nursing homes are gait and balance disorders, weakness, dizziness, environmental hazards, confusion, visual impairment and postural hypotension (Rubenstein, Josephson & Robbins, 1994). Most of these are medical in nature. However, environmental hazards are one of the major risk factors, and it is best practice to understand what these are and ensure that the nursing home is as free from environmental hazards, such as things that people can trip over, as possible. Knowing that many of the other causal factors for falls are medical-related, nursing home staff need to ensure that they understand what they can do to help patients to prevent falls.
One intervention that has been shown effective in some situations is strengthening exercises, as weakness is something that to an extent can be prevented. Stronger seniors are less likely to fall. But more effective is that the staff need to have means by which they can recognize and identify high-risk seniors. The people who are at most risk of falling are the ones who need the most attention from staff at nursing homes, to ensure that they are not moving without help, when they should have help. Not only do falls occur at nursing homes, but often falls precipitate...
Falls in Nursing Homes, Are They Preventable Preventing falls in nursing homes Falls are quite common in the homes of the elderly with around one hand a half falls for each nursing-home bed-years. Although most falls are not fatal, 10% to 20% lead to admissions in hospitals and fractures. It is, therefore, important that care providers in these homes cut down the falls and the rate of fall-related dangers. Interventions have succeeded
Improving Healthcare Delivery in Nursing Homes: Focus on Broken Bones The objective of this study is to focus on health care management issues, problems, and policies in a current organization and specifically that of a nursing home with a focus on broken bones. Identification of Problem Osteoporosis and fracture related to osteoporosis "are primary health concerns and sources of significant death and disability around the world." (Clinton, 2011) In 2006, it is stated
The prescriptions include wisdom, honesty, and courage, as well as human dignity, integrity, respect, health, and independence. Part 3: Formulate possible evidence-based practices and an action plan that could work towards achieving improvement outcomes. Provide insight into the diagnostic processes (e.g., root cause analysis) used to determine the primary causes of the problem. Consider both qualitative (cause-effect diagram, barrier analysis), and quantitative (theory testing or drill down analysis) methods. Analyze the cost-effectiveness
Falls THE ISSUE OF ACCIDENTAL FALLS At some point, anyone who had learned how to walk has had the experience of falling down -- it is a universal experience for infants as they gain ambulatory ability. In hospitals, however, the accidental fall is the most reported type of patient safety incident, with elderly patient populations displaying a particular vulnerability (Oliver 2007, p.173). Approximately one-third of adults over the age of sixty-five will
Fall Among the Elderly Age Group Falls among the Elderly Age Group Biological Factors Unintentional falls Expected falls and unexpected falls Risk Elements for Falls Outline of Several Different Strategies Counseling and Health Education Strategies Single Strategies Primary Strategies Exercise and physical activity 8 Nursing-Home Strategies Interventions of Unidentified Effectiveness Developed Based on your Understanding of the Public Health Problem Schedule an appointment with your Medic Keep moving Wear sensible shoes According to JM (2009), "As people get older, falls turn out to be a typical and
This is important because the cost of hospital acquired infections run high. The cost to care for a patient with a hospital acquired infection is almost three times the amount to care for a patient without a hospital acquired infection (Hassan et al., 2010). Since hospital acquired infections can be attributed to the hospital, Medicare and Medicaid will no longer cover payment of these infections beginning in 2008. Medicare and
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