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Nursing outcome indicator: preventing falls for elderly people.
J Bezon1, K H Echevarria, G B Smith
1Center for Elderhealth Nurse-Managed Primary Health Care Clinic, University of South Florida College of Nursing, Tampa 33612, USA.
Outcomes Management for Nursing Practice
|December 22, 1999
Summary
Community-dwelling elderly residents experienced a significant reduction in falls, decreasing from 30% to 3% through a targeted preventive care plan. This initiative addressed key risk factors to improve senior safety and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Nursing Practice
Background:
- Falls among community-dwelling elderly individuals represent a substantial burden, impacting both financial resources and quality of life.
- Preventing falls is crucial for maintaining independence and health in the aging population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-managed clinic's fall prevention program in a public housing setting for the elderly.
- To assess the impact of identifying and intervening on intrinsic and extrinsic fall risk factors.
Main Methods:
- A collaborative approach involving faculty, students, and elderly residents in a public housing unit.
- Implementation of a comprehensive fall prevention plan.
- Systematic assessment of intrinsic (e.g., health conditions) and extrinsic (e.g., environmental hazards) fall-related factors.
Main Results:
- A dramatic reduction in the incidence of falls among participating elderly residents, from 30% to 3%.
- Successful identification and mitigation of multiple fall risk factors through targeted interventions.
Conclusions:
- A nurse-managed clinic partnership can effectively implement fall prevention strategies in community settings.
- Addressing both intrinsic and extrinsic factors is key to significantly reducing falls in the elderly population.
- This model demonstrates a successful, evidence-based approach to enhancing senior safety and reducing healthcare costs associated with falls.