1. WHAT ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHODS IN PREVENTING FALLS IN THE ELDERLY POPULATION OF A NURSING HOME ENVIRONMENT ? Presented by: Katrina Lampman Tina Palmer Shelly Parker Carol Zinn

2. Falls  Falls continue to occur at an alarming rate. Serious injury, even death from falls remain a serious problem in the population of a nursing home environment.

3.  Use of fall interventions are a key factor in decreasing the incidence of falls in nursing home.

4. Fall Prevention in Hospitals: An Integrative review  Research by: Sandra L. Spoelstra  Barbara A. Given and  Charles W. Given

5. One of the most effective methods in preventing falls in the elderly is identifying risk factors.  Environment  Mobility  Cognitive status  Medications  Physical  Personality, behavior

6. Environment

7. Assessment of  Mobility  Cognitive status

8. MEDICATIONS CAN ADD TO THE RISK OF FALLS Polypharmacy  Antidepressants  Antihypertensives  Hypnotics  Sedatives  Narcotics

9. Personality and behavior affects fall risk  Compliance  Agitation  Depression  Impulsivity

10.  Physical Problems UTI Stroke Amputation Incontinence

11. Strong EvidenceWeak Evidence  Authors found that the research supported the purpose that use of many different fall programs and tailoring them according to risk-assessment values did decrease falls.  The article did not conclude that any one intervention was the best in preventing falls. The authors also found that fall rates varied so they had difficulty in comparing studies.

12. Analysis of Evidence How this Evidence Affects Nurses  Our experiences as Nurses  How this evidence affects our decisions as nurses

13. RECOMMENDATIONS Utilization of Evidence  Assess fall risk factors  Care planning and interventions tailored to individual’s needs  Culture of safety  Assess environment  Routine medication review  Routine physical assessment  Safety rounds, including assessment of fall interventions  Education to staff, family, and patient  Report falls, review, make necessary changes  Communication  Compliance

14. Conclusion  Many different methods are needed to prevent falls in the elderly

15. References Gray-Miceli, D., Ratcliffe, S. J., & Johnson, J. (2010). Use of postfall assessment tool to prevent falls. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 32(7), 932-948. doi: 10.1177/0193945910370697 Nieswiadomy, R. M. (2012). Foundations of nursing research. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Spoelstra, S. L., Given, B. A., & Given, C. W. (2012). Fall prevention in hospitals: An integrative review. Clinical Nursing Research, 21(1), 92-112. doi: 10.1177/1054773811418106