Fall Risk Factors

Patient safety is one of the nation's most imperative health care issues. A 1999 article by the Institute of Medicine estimates that 44,000 to 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals each year as the result of lack of in patient safety regulations. Inhibiting falls among patients and residents in acute and long term care healthcare settings requires a multifaceted method, and the recognition, evaluation and prevention of patient or resident falls are significant challenges for all who seek to provide a safe environment in any healthcare setting. Yearly, about 30% of the persons of 65 years and older falls at least once and 15% fall at least twice. Patient falls are some of the most common occurrences reported in hospitals and are a leading cause of death in people ages 65 or older. Falls often result in serious injuries, such as fractures. For that reason, the impediment of accidental falls is essential. The aim is to describe the design of a study that assesses the effectiveness of prevention and intervention strategies implemented to lessen multiple fall risk factors in independently living older persons with a high risk of falling.
For decades, hospitals and other health care organizations have integrated to understand the contributing causes of falls, to minimize their occurrence and resulting injuries or deaths. Today, organizations have begun reaching out to each other for collaboration on the best ways to prevent falls. Of those who fall, as many as half may suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce mobility and independence, and increase the risk of premature death. The mortality and financial burdens attributed to patient falls in hospitals and other healthcare settings are among the most serious risk management issues facing the healthcare industry. For the patient and resident, consequences include, but are not limited to, fracture, soft tissue or head injury, fear of falling, anxiety, and depression
When making an attempt to analyze and implement