Fall Prevention Strategies In Hospitals Essay

PICOT Question

Among patients admitted in the hospital (P), how effective is providing a safe hospital environment (I) as compared to conducting standardized assessments (C) in preventing falls (O) within the period of stay in the hospital (T)?Fall Prevention Strategies In Hospitals Essay

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Literature Review
While the implementation plan prepares students to apply their research to the problem or issue they have identified for their capstone project change proposal, the literature review enables students to map out and move into the active planning and development stages of the project.

A literature review analyzes how current research supports the PICOT, as well as identifies what is known and what is not known in the evidence. Students will use the information from the earlier PICOT Question Paper and Literature Evaluation Table assignments to develop a 750-1,000 word review that includes the following sections:

Title page
Introduction section
A comparison of research questions
A comparison of sample populations
A comparison of the limitations of the study
A conclusion section, incorporating recommendations for further research
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.Fall Prevention Strategies In Hospitals Essay

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

As population ages in all developing nations, impacts of falls remaining a huge problem for social and healthcare systems (Oliver, 2009). According to National Institute on Aging (NIA), in 2006 almost 500 million people worldwide were aged 65 or older. That number projected to reach 1 billion by 2030 with most rapid increases in developing countries. Because older adults are fastest growing segment of the United States population the problem is only going to get worth. An estimated 25% to 39% of adults aged 65 years or older fall each year (Keskin et al., 2008). Falls accounted for a leading cause of injuries, hospitalizations and death among elderly. Besides, people who sustained a fall within a past year will be more prone to…show more content…Fall Prevention Strategies In Hospitals Essay
Standing unsupported
3. Sitting unsupported
4. Standing to sitting
5. Transfers
6. Standing with eyes closed
7. Standing with feet together
8. Reaching forward with outstretched arm
9. Retrieving object from floor
10. Turning to look behind
11. Turning 360 degrees
12. Placing alternate foot on stool
13. Standing with one foot in front
14. Standing on one foot
Score 0-4 assigned to each task and sum of the scores determines whether person is wheel-chair bound (0-20), walking with assistance (20-40), or independent (41-56).Fall Prevention Strategies In Hospitals Essay
Romberg’s test is the test of the body’s sense of positioning (proprioception), which requires healthy functioning of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. The test subject has to maintain balance for a full minute standing feet together, hands by the side, eyes opened first. Then it should be repeated with eyes closed. The Romberg’s test consider positive when person swaying to the side with eyes closed. The Romberg’s test is used to investigate the cause of loss of motor coordination (ataxia). A positive Romberg test suggests that the ataxia is sensory in nature, that is, depending on loss of proprioception. A negative Romberg test suggests that ataxia is cerebellar in nature, that is, depending on localized cerebellar dysfunction instead (Khasnis & Gokula, 2003). Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is series of questions and tests each of which scores points if answered correctly. Maximum score of 30 is indicative

The rise of patient falls in hospitals, healthcare centers, nursing homes and daycare facilities is on a rise. In more than 90% of patient fall cases, the falls could have been prevented. Patients fall increases the incidence of injuries to the patients. Healthcare facilities would face the burden of cost in the case of inpatient falls. Falls are common in adults above the age of 65 years. According to the center for disease control and prevention (CDC), one in three adults in the U.S above the age of 65 years falls each year. Studies estimate that the around 2% to 10% of inpatients fall every year during their hospital stay. Surveys conducted in premier hospitals in the U.S resulted in 10% of falls in older adults. In a snapshot, around 15% of falls occur in acute care settings while 20% of falls occur in nursing homes. On the other hand, 60% of falls occur in adults above the age of 65 years. These data were based on a survey conducted by the department of Veterans affairs (V.A) in the United States. Most patient falls can be prevented. (U.S V.A. 2004)Fall Prevention Strategies In Hospitals Essay

The number of patient falls can be prevented to a significant extent. The purpose of implementing a patient fall preventing program is to reduce the rate of falls and maximize the safety of patients. Patient fall prevention programs are implemented in many healthcare settings. Nursing professionals implement the program to reduce the rate preventable falls among patients. The purpose of implementing the program would also enable patients to be independent and avoid injuries that occur due to falls. This paper would focus on the different aspects of patient fall prevention program Patient fall prevention program reduces the risk of injuries associated with patient falls. The main purpose of the program is to increase the quality of life of patients, improvise the current setting, reduce falls and reduce the number of injuries associated with falls. (ACSQHC, 2009)

Patient fall prevention program: The Goals
The implementation of a patient fall program would serve numerous purposes for the patient, enhanced quality of life being the major focus of the program. However, these programs need to be assessed and monitored to evaluate the safety and efficacy. It is important that the primary goals of the patient fall prevention program are measurable. The primary goals of the patient fall prevention program are to decrease the incidence of falls, decrease the severity of falls, improve environmental safety, enhance staff knowledge, increase mobility and function, and improve patient’s confidence. The success of the program would lie in its goal-achieving strategy. The goals should be measurable and achievable. The most common way to assess or measure goals is to compare the rates of falls in the healthcare setting or institute. The use of statistics is found to be accurate and precise. The comparative fall rate also termed as fall rate’ is measured using a simple formula. The fall rate would be equal to the number of patient falls multiplied by a constant (k) divided by the total number of patients. The fall rate can be measured on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. However, it is recommended that the fall rate is measured on a daily basis for accurate results. (Fitzpatrick, A. 2011).Fall Prevention Strategies In Hospitals Essay

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Intended outcome: As mentioned earlier, the success of the patient fall prevention program would depend on the strategy and design of the program. Increased quality of life and decreased number of falls are primary outcomes of the patient fall prevention program. Most patient falls occur in patients above the age of 65. The main outcomes would be to reduce and prevent the severity of falls among the elderly class of patients. There is a significant amount of patient falls among hospitalized patients. The program would make a difference among this group as well. The target population would benefit in terms of reduced fall-associated injury and increased self-confidence. The outcomes of the program is achievable provided the strategy and design are maintained at a superior level. (Fitzpatrick, A. 2011).Fall Prevention Strategies In Hospitals Essay

Project consistency: Nurse’s views and ideas in today’s society
Nurses and healthcare professionals play in important role in the prevention of patient falls in various healthcare settings. The paper would discuss on the implementation of a patient fall prevention program based on a nurse’s views and ideas. Most nurses feel that the implementation of a new program in a healthcare center is beyond their control. Nurses find it difficult to convince healthcare authorities or hospital business units about the inclusion of a patient fall prevention program. The implementation and discussion of patient fall prevention program is highly recommended prior to the execution of the program. Nurses need to learn various aspects of the healthcare setting prior to the implementation of the patient fall prevention program. Critical thinking is essential throughout the process.
(Child, S., et al; 2012)Fall Prevention Strategies In Hospitals Essay
However, nurses play an important role in the patient’s life. Nurse’s encourage and motivate the patients to a significant extent. The rate of falls decrease if proper nursing care is combined with treatment interventions. Nurses bridge the communication gap between the healthcare professional and the patient. Institutes and community care centers that include nurses in the patient fall prevention program have seen a 70% decrease in the total number of patient falls. The nurse would combine administrative abilities with patient care to implement the best patient fall prevention program. Nursing professionals would gather necessary information about the patient to improvise and prevent falls. Nurses provide emotional, cultural and psychological help to patients. In the case of complete dependence by the patient, nurse play a major role in fall prevention. Bed-ridden and hospitalized patients are completely dependent on nursing professionals. It is the duty of nursing professionals to assist the patients in all daily activities. The requirement of a nurse would enhance the patient fall prevention program to a significant extent. (Fitzpatrick, A. 2011)Fall Prevention Strategies In Hospitals Essay

Nurse’s role in the patient fall prevention program: Implementing and evaluation
The nurse should understand the healthcare or institutional environment. The current financial status, the administration, the competitive aspects, patient strength and hospital structure are to be studied in depth by the nursing professional. It is recommended that the patient acknowledges and addresses the challenges in the current status of the healthcare center to the concerned hospital authorities or administrators. (Child, S., et al; 2012)
Nursing professionals need to gather relevant data during the implementation of the patient fall prevention program. The healthcare setting is completely based in an evidence-based culture. The collection of relevant data based on the program is based on the skill of the nursing professional. If the healthcare setting consists of patients with musculoskeletal disorders (example), the nurse could gather relevant information and present the information in the form of a graph. Graphs or power point presentation of relevant information like the total number of patients, the number of high risk patients, the number of patients (with musculoskeletal disorders) and the strength of healthcare professionals would form the basis of strong presentation tool. Precise and clear data forms the basis of a solid implementation program. Nursing professionals can also include the benefits of gathering information prior to the execution of the program. (ACSQHC, 2009)
Evaluation of the program after successful implementation is crucial for the nursing professional. Evaluation would help in the necessary modifications in plan for the improvement of the patient fall prevention program. It is important that the nurse provides decision making factors to the administrators. Effective communication with the healthcare administrators, risk management team and finance department after the implementation is highly recommended. Patient and employee feedback after the execution of the program forms the base of a successful patient fall prevention program. (Child, S., et al; 2012) Fall Prevention Strategies In Hospitals Essay