Prevention of Falls in Acute Care Setting - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages Other factors leading to deterioration in acute care of falls include the strategies used by individuals, the first stages of patients’ assessments, and continuing reassessment of the patients. The study on the approaches used in preventing injuries caused by falls includes assessment of individuals at high risks. In case of injuries, interviewing staff and members of the affected family is necessary for proper care. Factors leading to the problems In viewing the contributions to the problem, a number of factors cause increased cases of falls. Cognitive dysfunction is among the main risk factors. It refers to patients in severe confusion state known as delirium and those with existing cognitive injury known as dementia. Research shows at some point, over 30% of the inpatients have delirium 15% being the elderly (McCarter-Bayer et al., 2005). Dementia patients also suffer from a disease called Alzheimer and vascular dementia. Patients suffering from these infections have deteriorated strength and at risk of poly pharmacy. Impaired mobility is another falling risk factor resulting to body weakening. Low extreme mobility of the body causes the failure. This forces the patients to be in need for assistive devices. The use of medicines in an effort to counter the weaknesses in the body has side effects. These effects also contribute to risks in falls. Because of metabolic changes and hepatic impairment more prone to the elderly, they suffer more from the side effects of medicines. The living environment of the affected group causes falls leading to injuries. These may be due to the foreign materials in their living areas such as debris, poorly anchored floors and poor safety measures in the living rooms (Koh et al., 2007). Alternative solutions to the problem Falls minimization entails a number of precautions. The main precaution is to communicate the risk factors to respective authorities for undertaking of appropriate actions (Koh et al., 2007). By visual communication, identifiers like posters, charts and signs showing risk areas are of considerable importance in preventing falls. It is necessary to inform all the people visiting a new environment and those living in a given area on the meaning of the risk signs placed at various points. The staff handling the patients requires the clarity of the fall status of the patients visiting any health care. In cases with affected patients, the people accompanying the patient have to identify and communicate a brief history of the patient before treatment. A number of interventions are a requirement for every patient. The patients must familiarize with the environment, be assisted whenever in need, for example, when going to the washrooms or by ensuring that walking belts are available at the bedside. In case of an emergency, communication devices should be in place and within the reach of the patients so that they can talk to nurses (Mezey et al., 2005). Course of action From literature, prevention method of falls has a little impact on minimizing the rates of injuries (Mezey et al., 2005). To achieve best results, I recommend organizational support in ensuring prevention method, which has a high priority. This means that there is a need to encourage support from health care organizations than it was before. Studies show that best results are possible only with assistance across disciplines dealing with fall cases. The organization expected ...Download file to see next pagesRead More