Evidence-based practice research on fall prevention in elderly inpatients

Abstract

Objective To explore the best method of fall prevention suitable for China′s national conditions in elder inpatients with the method of evidence-based nursing. Methods Evidence-based information such as clinical practice guideline and systematic review was searched in the field of falls in elderly patients. All best literature evidences for were concluded and integrated. Prevention and nursing programme were designed on fall prevention in elderly inpatients by referring to and combining with clinical experience, expert opinion and patients′ needs. And then it was introduced to clinical practice in August 2011. Results From August 2011 to October 2014, the falling rate was 0.12 per 1 000 hospitalized days which was significantly lower than the international level of 2.5-3.5 per 1 000 hospitalized days. After interventions (from August 2011 to October 2014), the rate of fall risk assessment for patients was 100% which improved significantly compared with the implementation rates of health education and nursing measures before intervention (from July 2010 to July 2011). Conclusions The evidence-based practice of fall prevention is based on the best evidence, practice requires, patients′ needs and professional judgment to explore the complete system of fall assessment, prevention and intervention for elderly inpatients in China. Key words: Fall; Elderly; Evidence-Based Medicine; Nursing; Inpatients