Preventing Falls in Elderly Patients Timelisa Smith MSN-DE Herzing University NSG 660-7B Scholarly Practice Dr. Sheri Byrnes June 24, 2024

[Virtual Presenter] Good afternoon everyone my name is Timelisa Smith. Today I am excited to share with you the information that I have gathered during my research on Preventing Falls in Elderly Patients. My presentation will focus on the prevalence of falls in elderly patients the risk factors associated with falls and the strategies that can be implemented to prevent falls. I will also discuss the impact of falls on elderly patients and the importance of fall prevention programs..

[Virtual Presenter] Discussing picot question for Timelisa Smith's presentation on Preventing Falls in Elderly Patients. picot question: In what ways can we improve fall prevention interventions for elderly patients in a hospital setting? Mixed research study and two qualitative research studies. Exploring areas of opportunity for future research next steps and conclusion..

[Virtual Presenter] Discuss the importance of fall prevention among elderly patients. Falls are a common adverse event in hospitals with incident rates ranging from 3.2 to 17 per 1000 patient bed days. By identifying ways to prevent falls we can improve patient safety and reduce the risk of harm to elderly patients. It is important to research and implement findings related to fall prevention in clinical practice..

[Virtual Presenter] We aim to reduce the negative impact of falls on elderly patients aged 65 and above and enhance their quality of life. Our research findings and step-by-step approach to fall prevention will be presented..

[Audio] We are addressing fall prevention in elderly patients. Our focus is on the elderly population aged 65 and above who may reside in different settings such as homes nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To effectively prevent falls it is essential to identify the appropriate target population and their specific risk factors and requirements. In this presentation we will discuss traditional fall programs as well as other critical interventions including health concerns vision wear assistive devices home modification financial resources and more..

[Audio] Today I’d like to talk about interventions that can be used to prevent falls in elderly patients. Utilizing a multifactorial fall prevention program is an effective way to address the numerous underlying reasons that patients fall. Some of the interventions include assessing the target population for gait and balance managing fractures and osteoporosis conducting a medication review promoting exercise vision and footwear correction physiotherapy and cardiovascular interventions. Assessing the target population for gait and balance can help identify individuals who are at high risk for falls. Managing fractures and osteoporosis can help prevent falls by reducing the risk of injury. Conducting a medication review can help identify medications that may increase the risk of falls. Promoting exercise vision and footwear correction can also help prevent falls. Physiotherapy and cardiovascular interventions can also be effective in reducing falls. In summary utilizing a multifactorial fall prevention program can help prevent falls in elderly patients by addressing the numerous underlying reasons that patients fall..

[Audio] Our current interventions focus on staff behavior modification and ward risk minimization. However by utilizing multifactorial interventions including medication management exercise promotion and other techniques we believe that we can further decrease the frequency of patient falls. Falls still occur annually despite the presence of fall prevention strategies in clinical settings. For example Martin and others found that traditional fall prevention programs primarily focus on modifying staff behaviors and minimizing ward risks. In contrast our suggested approach involves empowering elderly individuals through a multifactorial intervention that includes a range of fall prevention strategies such as medication management exercise promotion and others. By empowering elderly individuals through these interventions we believe that we can further decrease the incidence of falls and enhance the quality of life for elderly patients..

[Audio] Our presentation on Preventing Falls in Elderly Patients discusses the research findings of our multifactorial fall prevention program which leads to a decrease in falls among the elderly population..

[Audio] Providing an annual wellness exam is an effective way to ensure that individuals are able to participate in the program and make the necessary changes to reduce their risk of falls. Involving multiple referral sources can also be helpful in carrying out different parts of the program. It may take time for modifications to exercise routines to produce results that assist in fall prevention. Additionally new bathroom modifications may be necessary to improve safety and reduce the risk of falls..

[Audio] We assessed recommendations from 15 selected guidelines and used ProQuest to search for relevant literature. We identified a range of interventions that can help prevent falls in elderly patients including fall risk stratification assessment tools fractures or osteoporosis management multifactorial intervention medication review exercise physiotherapy referral environment modification vision footwear and cardiovascular interventions. We selected qualitative research that was most current and addressed the picot question to ensure the quality and relevance of our findings. Our review provides valuable insights and recommendations for healthcare providers caregivers and policymakers working to prevent falls in elderly patients..

[Audio] We will present the research conducted on older people attending community-based multifactorial fall risk assessment clinics. According to the study multifactorial falls risk assessments can significantly reduce the rate of falls in older people. The study by Racine and others which was one of the studies that we chose after reading the used a qualitative research method to explore the experiences and perceptions of older people who attended the clinics. Through in-depth interviews the researchers were able to understand the factors that contributed to falls in this population and develop interventions to prevent them. The results of the study showed that multifactorial falls risk assessments were effective in reducing the rate of falls in older people. By implementing these assessments in community-based settings healthcare providers can help prevent falls and improve the quality of life for elderly patients..

[Audio] We can significantly reduce the likelihood of falls for older adults by providing them with tools and resources. This includes exercise programs home modifications and other resources that help individuals maintain their balance and mobility. To facilitate fall prevention we need to address multiple steps in the process. Our checklist which is based on our qualitative study can be adapted for use in the home or in a facility. It addresses key steps such as identifying potential fall hazards assessing individual needs and abilities implementing preventive measures and monitoring progress. Post this checklist in a conspicuous place such as the refrigerator or near the patient's bed or couch to ensure that it's easily accessible and visible to older adults at risk of falls. In summary facilitating fall prevention is essential to ensuring the safety and independence of elderly patients. By addressing self-efficacy and providing tools and resources we can help reduce the risk of falls and improve overall quality of life for older adults..

[Audio] Our research findings on preventing falls in elderly patients reveal that addressing multiple factors that cause falls is more effective than brief education received in primary care or at discharge. Coordinating care amongst multiple individuals is crucial for success. We recommend transitioning to one health care software and creating a page where a multifactorial fall assessment tool is utilized each year at the annual wellness visit by the primary care physician during a hospital event by the attending nurse and every 6 months by the nurse or social worker if the person is receiving home health services. Thank you for considering our findings..

[Audio] Utilizing a digital device like a phone Fitbit or Apple Watch as a reminder can have a significant impact on fall prevention. By using these devices to remind individuals of important tasks such as taking medication that causes drowsiness exercising at appropriate times and making appointments for eye exams and wellness opportunities we can help elderly patients maintain their independence and prevent falls. Our research also identifies areas of opportunity for future research including the use of these devices in conjunction with other preventative measures such as home modifications and fall detection systems and their effectiveness in different populations such as those with cognitive impairment or those living in rural areas. Overall our research highlights the importance of utilizing digital devices as a tool for preventing falls in elderly patients and the need for continued research to further refine and improve these solutions..

[Audio] Our first step is to take the research to the appropriate committee at the workplace for evaluation. This will ensure that the research is properly implemented into practice. Additionally attending nursing conferences can provide a nurse with more knowledge on how to implement evidence-based research into clinical practice. By taking these steps we can enhance the quality of care for elderly patients and reduce the incidence of falls..

[Audio] Currently interventions to prevent falls in elderly patients include room reminders education during discharge or admission gait and balance assessments management of fractures and osteoporosis medication reviews promotion of exercise correction of vision and footwear and physiotherapy and cardiovascular interventions. Furthermore a digital component should be examined. Education can improve a nurse's critical thinking abilities and facilitate effective implementation of interventions..

[Audio] We will discuss the reasons why elderly patients attend multifactorial falls risk assessments. According to Racine E Soye A Barry P et al. (2020) older adults attend these assessments due to their belief that they are necessary rather than because they feel compelled or required to do so. Vincenzo J L Patton S K Lefler L L McElfish P A Wei J. & Curran G M (2022) found that older adults' facilitators barriers and cues to action to engage in falls prevention using health belief model constructs. A table by Montero-Odasso MM Kamkar N Pieruccini-Faria F and others (2021 December 15) compares different clinical practice guidelines on fall prevention and management for older adults. Martin R A Dickie B. Skinner H. Hurring S. Marshall R. & Hanger H C (2020) discuss the implementation of a fall prevention program using realist methods..

[Audio] The presenters including Timelisa Smith shared valuable insights and expertise. If you have any questions or comments feel free to reach out to the co-presenters. Thank you for attending today..