[Evaluation of measures related to the prevention of multiple falls in hospitalized elderly people]

Blouin M, Asselin G, Coulombe M, Rhainds M, Lacasse Y
Record ID 32018005131
French
Original Title: Évaluation des mesures liées à la prévention des chutes multiples chez la personne âgée hospitalisée
Authors' objectives: Of all hospital patient safety incidents, falls are the most common. Hospitalized patients are at increased risk of falling compared to non-hospitalized people. This phenomenon can be explained, in part, by the sudden arrival of new risk factors (e.g., reduced mobility, new pharmacological treatment) combined with unfamiliarity with their environment. With the aim of improving practices geared toward reducing the incidence of falls at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute – Laval University (Institute), a health technology assessment (HTA) project was undertaken to review the evidence on fall prevention measures in hospitalized elderly people.
Authors' results and conclusions: Although there is no single solution, the report allows the organization to compare its practices with those recommended by expert groups thereby informing its decision-making. Institution-wide practices and individualized care are to be adopted in order to avoid subsequent falls and associated injuries. In this regard, communication and mobilization of staff members concerned, but also of the patient’s family members, seem to be one of the preferred approaches. The creation of a community of practice with other institutions could be considered with the intention of sharing experiences and thus identifying the best measures related to the prevention of falls.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2014
English language abstract: There is no English language summary available
Publication Type: Other
Country: Canada
Province: Quebec
MeSH Terms
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Frail Elderly
  • Accidental Falls
  • Hospitalization
  • Accident Prevention
Contact
Organisation Name: Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec – Université Laval (IUCPQ-ULaval)
Contact Address: 2725, chemin Sainte-Foy Québec QC G1V 4G5
Contact Name: uetmis.iucpq@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Contact Email: uetmis.iucpq@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Copyright: Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.