FALLS’ RISK ANALYSIS OF OLDER PATIENTS IN NURSING DEPARTMENTS:  ONE MONTH STUDY

Agnė Jakavonytė-Akstinienė; Jūratė Macijauskienė

doi:10.12955/cbup.v4.825

Agnė Jakavonytė-Akstinienė Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
Jūratė Macijauskienė Lithuanian University of Health Sciences

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12955/cbup.v4.825

Keywords: falls, elderly, risk, factors, nursing

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Falls are a major public health problem, especially in the elderly. Of people who suffer falls, 20- 30% experience mild to severe injuries. Timely assessment of risk factors can prevent some of these falls occurring.

PURPOSE OF STUDY: To assess the falls risks factors of patients in nursing departments.

METHODS: The study was conducted January to September, 2015 in a Lithuanian long-term care and treatment hospital. The Morse Fall Scale was used for assessment of falls risk, which were evaluated within 48 hours and then after one month of admission to the hospital.

RESULTS: The study involved 177 respondents. After one month of admission to the hospital, 129 participants took part in the survey. During the first stage of the study, the difference in falls between the age groups and falls risk was statistically significant (p = 0.019). In addition, statistically significant differences (p = 0.004 and p = 0.000) were found between the patients’ cognitive impairment, falls within the past 1-year period, and the risk of falls during 48 hours after hospitalization. After one month of admission to the hospital, it was found that differences in falls risk was not statistically significant among age groups (p = 0.360) or the patients’ cognitive impairment (p = 0.200).

CONCLUSION: An assessment of patients within 48 hours of hospitalisation revealed a statistically significant difference between the patients having suffered a fall within the past year and the current risk of falls.

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