Hip Fractures? Give me a Break!
Hip fracture is one of the most common broken bones in the elderly population. Over 300,000 patients older than 65 are admitted to the hospital every year due to hip fracture. Age and gender play a major role in the risk for this injury. Women are more likely to suffer from a hip fracture than males due to osteoporosis a disease that weakens bones and makes them more brittle. 1 in 5 women will be affected by hip fracture by the age of 80. (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, Bucher, & Harding, 2014) Unfortunately, this injury causes disabilities that may require in-home or inpatient care. This can be very frustrating for someone who had always been able to care for him or herself and now require help to do simple …show more content…
Hospitals around the country have implemented strategies and safety measures to reduce the amount of falls in their facilities. Using certain colored and/or non-slip for fall risk patients, bracelets that the patient wears and well as signs on the doors also alert all staff and family to their fall risk. Bed alarms are also very important to sound an alarm when patient attempts to get out of bed. Some hospitals even employ sitters or “safety companions” and have staff make rounds at certain times. Keeping the patient busy with different activities and having a call light within reach is also a big part in keeping them in bed and safe. Anderson Hospital in Cincinnati went 353 days without a fall by implementing a fall program using these policies. (Rodak, 2013) All prevention however is not successful, but it is great to know studies are things are being done to keeping coming up with new ideas on how to prevent these injuries. One study in particular tested hip-protectors in hospital/nursing home setting. They used two different protectors, one that was a hard shell to divert impact away from soft tissues another was a soft pad designed to absorb the force of the fall. Both devices were kept in place with special underwear. Unfortunately, the study showed no real difference in the reduction of falls or prevention of injury after a fall. This is why the above-mentioned preventions and precautions are so important in day-to-day life for the elderly in their home and while in the hospital setting. (Skorga & Young, 2012, p.
Hip fracture is one of the most common broken bones in the elderly population. Over 300,000 patients older than 65 are admitted to the hospital every year due to hip fracture. Age and gender play a major role in the risk for this injury. Women are more likely to suffer from a hip fracture than males due to osteoporosis a disease that weakens bones and makes them more brittle. 1 in 5 women will be affected by hip fracture by the age of 80. (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, Bucher, & Harding, 2014) Unfortunately, this injury causes disabilities that may require in-home or inpatient care. This can be very frustrating for someone who had always been able to care for him or herself and now require help to do simple …show more content…
Hospitals around the country have implemented strategies and safety measures to reduce the amount of falls in their facilities. Using certain colored and/or non-slip for fall risk patients, bracelets that the patient wears and well as signs on the doors also alert all staff and family to their fall risk. Bed alarms are also very important to sound an alarm when patient attempts to get out of bed. Some hospitals even employ sitters or “safety companions” and have staff make rounds at certain times. Keeping the patient busy with different activities and having a call light within reach is also a big part in keeping them in bed and safe. Anderson Hospital in Cincinnati went 353 days without a fall by implementing a fall program using these policies. (Rodak, 2013) All prevention however is not successful, but it is great to know studies are things are being done to keeping coming up with new ideas on how to prevent these injuries. One study in particular tested hip-protectors in hospital/nursing home setting. They used two different protectors, one that was a hard shell to divert impact away from soft tissues another was a soft pad designed to absorb the force of the fall. Both devices were kept in place with special underwear. Unfortunately, the study showed no real difference in the reduction of falls or prevention of injury after a fall. This is why the above-mentioned preventions and precautions are so important in day-to-day life for the elderly in their home and while in the hospital setting. (Skorga & Young, 2012, p.