Fall Prevention Research Paper
Fall Prevention
Falls are one of the most common adverse events in health care institutions. Health care facilities are entitled to monitor patients and visitors who are in the risk of falls when entering their premises.
Education is part of fall prevention. We can educate health care employees as nurses, physicians, health care employees, patients and visitors on how to prevent a fall. The way we can educate all the employees in the health care field is by instructing them on conferences, meetings and signs in the hallways if there is a risk. I consider they should be the first ones who receive the appropriate instruction from their employer, in that way they are able to instruct patients and visitors.
Patients are most of the time assessed …show more content…
when they are seeing a healthcare provider as an office visit, an outpatient procedure, an inpatient procedure or if they are in the emergency room. By asking a few questions regarding risk for falls, the healthcare providers can avoid serious problems with litigation.
Elderly persons are, of course, at the most risk for falls.
As the _Iowa Department of Public Health_ published to their community several tips to avoid falls: "Take your time- get out of chair slowly, sit for a moment before getting out of bed, wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes with low heels and non-slip soles, see an eye specialist once a year. Poor vision can increase your chances of falling, be aware that some medications have side effects that can cause dizziness, increase physical activity-regular exercise increases balance and strength. Follow these tips to make living areas safer and help reduce risk of falls. Remove tripping hazards like throw rugs and clutter in …show more content…
walkways."
It is essential to keep the elderly community informed to prevent falls as "For example, in the United States, 20 per cent to 30 per cent of older people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head traumas. This risk level may be in part due to physical, sensory, and cognitive changes associated with ageing, in combination with environments that are not adapted for an aging population.
Across all age groups and regions, both genders are at risk of falls. In some countries, it has been noted that males are more likely to die from a fall, while females suffer more non-fatal falls."
Structured programs for elderly and patients who have different types of diseases and are at risk for falls should always have special attention from healthcare providers as nurses because this falls can result in severe injuries for them that could not only deteriorate their medical condition but also cause different psychological problems as depression and anxiety.
As stated by an anonymous writer regarding the fall prevention awareness day which is celebrated on September 23rd of each year, "Senior centers and other community-based organizations serving older adults across the United States are offering programs like A Matter of Balance and Stepping On, along with Tai Chi classes, to help older adults gain the strength, improved balance, and confidence to help them live healthier lives and preserve their independence"
In conclusion, it is very important to be aware if a patient is at risk for falls in a healthcare facility to avoid any injuries on the patient and liability on the health care institution.
References
Iowa Department of Public Health. _Fall Prevention Awareness_. Retrieved from http://lirnproxy.museglobal.com/MuseSessionID=ce426efadb03dacead6993368a4882a/MuseHost=web1.infotrac-custom.com/MusePath/pdfserve/get_item/1/A60596274458.pdf. on September 24,
2010.
United Nations: _Falls represent a deadly public health problem,_ UN warns(C)1994-2010 M2 COMMUNICATIONS. Retrieved from http://lirnproxy.museglobal.com/MuseSessionID=66327787d94ecb4f8ff7b9fdab8c76a5/MuseHost=infotrac.galegroup.com/MusePath/itw/infomark/662/652/125721519w16/purl=rc1_NLA_0_A236262676&dyn=4!xrn_1_0_A236262676?sw_aep=lirn_main on September 24, 2010.
Anonymous. National Council on Aging; With Two Million Older Adults Injured By Falls Every Year, 35 States Stand Up to Falls on Falls Prevention Awareness Day - September 23, 2010. Retrieved from http://lirnproxy.museglobal.com/MuseSessionID=50754e8ecdb5a543f3bd668fa7a3c21/MuseHost=proquest.umi.com/MusePath/pqdweb?did=2143787051&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD on September 25, 2010.
Fall Prevention Page � PAGE * MERGEFORMAT �4�
Falls are one of the most common adverse events in health care institutions. Health care facilities are entitled to monitor patients and visitors who are in the risk of falls when entering their premises.
Education is part of fall prevention. We can educate health care employees as nurses, physicians, health care employees, patients and visitors on how to prevent a fall. The way we can educate all the employees in the health care field is by instructing them on conferences, meetings and signs in the hallways if there is a risk. I consider they should be the first ones who receive the appropriate instruction from their employer, in that way they are able to instruct patients and visitors.
Patients are most of the time assessed …show more content…
when they are seeing a healthcare provider as an office visit, an outpatient procedure, an inpatient procedure or if they are in the emergency room. By asking a few questions regarding risk for falls, the healthcare providers can avoid serious problems with litigation.
Elderly persons are, of course, at the most risk for falls.
As the _Iowa Department of Public Health_ published to their community several tips to avoid falls: "Take your time- get out of chair slowly, sit for a moment before getting out of bed, wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes with low heels and non-slip soles, see an eye specialist once a year. Poor vision can increase your chances of falling, be aware that some medications have side effects that can cause dizziness, increase physical activity-regular exercise increases balance and strength. Follow these tips to make living areas safer and help reduce risk of falls. Remove tripping hazards like throw rugs and clutter in …show more content…
walkways."
It is essential to keep the elderly community informed to prevent falls as "For example, in the United States, 20 per cent to 30 per cent of older people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as bruises, hip fractures, or head traumas. This risk level may be in part due to physical, sensory, and cognitive changes associated with ageing, in combination with environments that are not adapted for an aging population.
Across all age groups and regions, both genders are at risk of falls. In some countries, it has been noted that males are more likely to die from a fall, while females suffer more non-fatal falls."
Structured programs for elderly and patients who have different types of diseases and are at risk for falls should always have special attention from healthcare providers as nurses because this falls can result in severe injuries for them that could not only deteriorate their medical condition but also cause different psychological problems as depression and anxiety.
As stated by an anonymous writer regarding the fall prevention awareness day which is celebrated on September 23rd of each year, "Senior centers and other community-based organizations serving older adults across the United States are offering programs like A Matter of Balance and Stepping On, along with Tai Chi classes, to help older adults gain the strength, improved balance, and confidence to help them live healthier lives and preserve their independence"
In conclusion, it is very important to be aware if a patient is at risk for falls in a healthcare facility to avoid any injuries on the patient and liability on the health care institution.
References
Iowa Department of Public Health. _Fall Prevention Awareness_. Retrieved from http://lirnproxy.museglobal.com/MuseSessionID=ce426efadb03dacead6993368a4882a/MuseHost=web1.infotrac-custom.com/MusePath/pdfserve/get_item/1/A60596274458.pdf. on September 24,
2010.
United Nations: _Falls represent a deadly public health problem,_ UN warns(C)1994-2010 M2 COMMUNICATIONS. Retrieved from http://lirnproxy.museglobal.com/MuseSessionID=66327787d94ecb4f8ff7b9fdab8c76a5/MuseHost=infotrac.galegroup.com/MusePath/itw/infomark/662/652/125721519w16/purl=rc1_NLA_0_A236262676&dyn=4!xrn_1_0_A236262676?sw_aep=lirn_main on September 24, 2010.
Anonymous. National Council on Aging; With Two Million Older Adults Injured By Falls Every Year, 35 States Stand Up to Falls on Falls Prevention Awareness Day - September 23, 2010. Retrieved from http://lirnproxy.museglobal.com/MuseSessionID=50754e8ecdb5a543f3bd668fa7a3c21/MuseHost=proquest.umi.com/MusePath/pqdweb?did=2143787051&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD on September 25, 2010.
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