Introduction
Falls represent a major public health problem around the world. Among older adults (those 65 or older) falls is the leading cause of injury related death - (CDC). They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. In the acute and rehabilitation hospitals, falls resulting in some injury range from 30% to 51% and falls resulting in fracture range from 1% to 3%.Falls are also associated with increased length of stay, an increased amount of health care resources and poorer health outcomes when specific fractures occur. Soft tissue injuries or minor fractures can also cause significant functional impairment, pain and distress. Even “minor” falls can prompt the older person to fear falling, causing him/her to limit activity, resulting in loss of strength and independence. (HRET 2013)
Falls have been recognized for decades by health care professionals as an etiology for injury, but were not seen as an …show more content…
Nurses assess patients using the Morse scale on admission, and the assessment is repeated on transfer, with a change in a patient’s condition, as well as after a fall. The Morse Scale Assessment is based on History of falling, Secondary diagnosis, Ambulatory aids, IV therapy/saline lock, Gait and Mental status. Once assessed, each patient receives an overall score. All patients will be considered at risk for falling when in a hospital setting. This assumption is based on the fact that patients are vulnerable when they are unwell, when they are receiving treatments/tests/medications and are in an unfamiliar environment. If the assessment results in a score of 45 or higher the patient is categorised as a High Risk Patient. All these patients identified as High Risk formed our study population. A sample was drawn based on convenience and availability of patients from this
Falls represent a major public health problem around the world. Among older adults (those 65 or older) falls is the leading cause of injury related death - (CDC). They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. In the acute and rehabilitation hospitals, falls resulting in some injury range from 30% to 51% and falls resulting in fracture range from 1% to 3%.Falls are also associated with increased length of stay, an increased amount of health care resources and poorer health outcomes when specific fractures occur. Soft tissue injuries or minor fractures can also cause significant functional impairment, pain and distress. Even “minor” falls can prompt the older person to fear falling, causing him/her to limit activity, resulting in loss of strength and independence. (HRET 2013)
Falls have been recognized for decades by health care professionals as an etiology for injury, but were not seen as an …show more content…
Nurses assess patients using the Morse scale on admission, and the assessment is repeated on transfer, with a change in a patient’s condition, as well as after a fall. The Morse Scale Assessment is based on History of falling, Secondary diagnosis, Ambulatory aids, IV therapy/saline lock, Gait and Mental status. Once assessed, each patient receives an overall score. All patients will be considered at risk for falling when in a hospital setting. This assumption is based on the fact that patients are vulnerable when they are unwell, when they are receiving treatments/tests/medications and are in an unfamiliar environment. If the assessment results in a score of 45 or higher the patient is categorised as a High Risk Patient. All these patients identified as High Risk formed our study population. A sample was drawn based on convenience and availability of patients from this