Fall prevention in hospitalized patients: Evaluation through the nursing outcomes classification/NOC

To evaluate the nursing outcomes of hospitalized patients at high risk for falls through NOC and correlate NOC outcomes called Knowledge: Fall Prevention and Fall Prevention Behavior with patients' sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Falls represent one of the major safety incidents in the hospital setting. The role of nursing is fundamental in preventing these events, from risk assessment to outcome evaluation. One of the strategies for evaluating nursing outcomes is the use of Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC).

A cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of 68 adult patients at high risk for falls admitted to clinical and surgical units. The patients received three evaluations. Data collect was prospective with an instrument containing five results and 28 NOC indicators. Descriptive and analytical analysis considered the NOC 5-point Likert scale.

Evaluation of the Knowledge: Fall Prevention and Fall Prevention Behavior outcomes showed that patients have a limited level of knowledge and rarely demonstrated preventive behavior. Vital Signs (0802), Medication Response (2301) and Safe Health Care Environment (1934) pointed to the existence of adequate patient monitoring and safe environment.

The evaluation of patient outcomes supported by a standardized classification system such as the NOC highlights the patient's clinical evolution and produces data that support the planning of care and management interventions, providing more effective and safer practices.