...Falls do not just occur as a result of people aging. Often, numerous risk factors and underlying causes are involved in patient falls. “A risk factor is something that increases a person's risk or susceptibility to a medical problem or disease” (cdc.org, 2013). The higher the number of risk factors the higher the risk of falls. Falls are usually related to medical conditions or physical disabilities. “Falls are the leading cause of injury-related visits to emergency departments in the United States and the primary etiology of accidental deaths in persons over the age of 65 years” (cdc.org, 2013). Increase in age, cognitive impairment medication use and sensory are all risk factors for falls. Management is focused on these underlying causes...
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...Falls and Risk Management Margaret Simon NUR 492 April 25, 2016 Dr. Rachel Gonzales Falls and Risk Management In the hospital setting falls are prevalent for various reasons. According to Sullivan (2013), “Risk management is a component of quality management, but its purpose is to identify, analyze, and evaluate risks and then develop a plan for reducing the frequency and severity of accidents and injuries” (p. 77). This paper will address falls as a risk management issue; discuss methods to identify patients as a fall risk, methods to implement to reduce falls, and how to inform all staff of seriousness of fall issue. Furthermore, a comparison of three other facilities and their methods will be discussed and compared to the VA hospital's plan of action. Hospital Plan for Identifying Falls Every patient that enters the hospital is required to have a fall assessment on the admission, and if the staff feels a patient's status has changed, it is completed again. The fall assessment template addresses cognitive status, hearing and vision issues, and gait and balance problems. Other information collected is his or her ability to use assistive devices such as canes, walkers, and crutches. Other information gathered is a medication list, a history of falls, and medical conditions such as vertigo. Another major issue is the environment at home, not enough lighting, rugs, stairs, and animals. In the hospital setting the number of falls is increasing clutter...
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...Evaluating Patient Fall in Hospitals 1 Evaluating Patient Falls in Hospitals Michael Carter Southern Illinois University August 12, 2012 Evaluating Patient Falls In Hospitals 2 Abstract Hospitalization represents a vulnerable time for elderly people. The presence of acute illness, an unfamiliar environment, and the frequent addition of new medications predispose an elderly patient to such iatrogenic hazards of hospitalization as falls, pressure ulcers, and delirium.1 A fall is a seminal event in the life of an elderly person. Even a fall without injury can initiate a vicious circle that begins with a fear of falling and is followed by a self-restriction of mobility, which commonly results in a decline in function.4 Functional decline in the elderly has been shown to predict mortality and nursing home placement.5 Inpatient falls are thought to occur via a complex interplay between medications, inherent patient susceptibilities, and hospital environmental hazards Falls are the leading cause of injury-related visits to emergency departments in the United States and the primary etiology of accidental deaths in persons over the age of 65 years. The mortality rate for falls increases dramatically with age in both sexes and in all racial and ethnic groups, with falls accounting for 70 percent of accidental deaths in persons 75 years of age and older. Falls can be markers...
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...matter how much we wish for it, there is no such thing as perfection. For the much older adult, even the slight miscalculations can lead to fall related accidents. Consequently, mishaps like these can definitely impede the quality of one’s life. Prevention is never a job done by one but rather of a team, who are working independently toward with a goal in unison. Teamwork is an effective tool in integrating measures to prevent fall related incidents among older population. Fall is a serious cause of unintentional injuries. It is defined as to drop or descend under the force of gravity, as to a lower place through loss or lack of support. (Dictionary.com) Statistics have shown that 28 – 35% of the population with ages 65 years and over fall each year and it escalates to 32 – 42% for people 70 years and older. (World Health Organization, 2007) This topic is an interesting subject to discuss, as fall injuries that lead to death are alarmingly high. According to World Health Organization, Canadians 65 years and above have a mortality rate of 9.4% in a population of 10,000. The occurrences of falls are relative to the increase of frailty and age and the need for medical attention in such cases should be a priority. (World Health Organization, 2007) Nurses take on the leadership role as the initiator to a multidisciplinary approach in preventing falls to the older population. Using a holistic method in improving the quality of life, the nurses can collaborate with the interprofessional...
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...prevent fall related incidents among older population In an ideal world, everything goes perfectly according to plan. One would be introduced to the world, gets the experience and education as one lives through the days of its life and time would come that they will get old and comfortably reminisce how they managed through their lives while stand outside of their porch. But sadly, no matter how much we wish for it, there is no such thing as perfection. For the much older adult, even the slight miscalculations can lead to fall related accidents. Consequently, mishaps like these can definitely impede the quality of one’s life. Prevention is never a job done by one but rather of a team, who are working independently toward with a goal in unison. Teamwork is an effective tool in integrating measures to prevent fall related incidents among older population. Fall is a serious cause of unintentional injuries. It is defined as to drop or descend under the force of gravity, as to a lower place through loss or lack of support. (Dictionary.com) Statistics have shown that 28 – 35% of the population with ages 65 years and over fall each year and it escalates to 32 – 42% for people 70 years and older. (World Health Organization, 2007) This topic is an interesting subject to discuss, as fall injuries that lead to death are alarmingly high. According to World Health Organization, Canadians 65 years and above have a mortality rate of 9.4% in a population of 10,000. The occurrences of falls are...
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...Although falls that occur are often harmless to the patient, the consequences can be serious and even result in death. It is the responsibility of each directly related staff member to prevent potential patient falls from occurring. When forming a team of members who are involved in this work process within my unit in a hospital setting, I would choose: doctors, nurses, certified nursing assistants, physical therapists, case managers, and dietary staff. All of these staff members have the most frequent direct contact with patients throughout their...
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...Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 6–12 Copyright c 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Missed Nursing Care, Staffing, and Patient Falls Beatrice J. Kalisch, PhD, RN, FAAN; Dana Tschannen, PhD, RN; Kyung Hee Lee, MPH, RN Patient falls in hospitals continue to be a major and costly problem. This study tested the mediating effect of missed nursing care on the relationship of staffing levels (hours per patient day [HPPD]) and patient falls. The sample was 124 patient units in 11 hospitals. The HPPD was negatively associated with patient falls (r = − 0.36, P < .01), and missed nursing care was found to mediate the relationship between HPPD and patient falls. Key words: falls, missed nursing care, staffing P to 12% of hospitalized patients experience at least 1 fall during their hospital stay.1 A fall is defined as any event in which patients are found on the floor (observed or unobserved) or an unplanned lowering of the patient to the floor by staff or visitors.2 In 2008, and 2010, falls were identified as one of the top 10 sentinel event categories by the Joint Commission.3 Fall rates in hospitals range from 4 to 14 falls per 1000 patient days.4 With the adoption of the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid rule, which no longer reimburses hospitals at the higher diagnosis related group for the care and treatment associated with patient falls that occur during hospitalization, a clearer understanding of what factors U Author Affiliations: School of Nursing, University of Michigan...
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...Benchmark - Research Critique Part 1 Meprina Joseph Grand Canyon University: NRS-433V 07/14/2016 Accidental falls account for 70% of all hospital accidents. The fall rate for inpatient hospitals varies from 1.4 to 17.9 falls per 1000 patient days (Vlahov, D., Myers, A.H., & al-Ibrahim, M.S. 1990). As healthcare providers, it’s our obligation to study and expand new ways to help keep our patients safe by maintaining a hazardless environment to help prevent inpatient incidents. The topic which is being critiqued is forecasting and evaluating fall danger in a critical inpatient rehab environment. This study analysis will scrutinize the revision and classify its problematic report, reason and study question, literature assessment, and the conceptual/ theoretic framework applied. Problematic Report There are many reasons behind the indications of patient falls, such as: drug use, age, psychological state, and decreased movement. Another indicator of patient falls includes diagnoses like brain damages, strokes, and other orthopedic situations, which have been proven to rise one’s risk to fall. With each environment being different from the next, the risk factors will then vary depending on the setting. Patients in critical therapy signify one of the utmost at risk inhabitants for falls during hospitalization. This may be due to a combination of factors including the primary goal of inpatient rehabilitation, which is to increase patient mobility with a population that...
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...characteristics of why patients fall in the hospital setting. The article being critiqued defines a fall as an unexpected drop from a sitting, standing, and lying position, which include an assisted fall (where someone helps guide them to the floor), slipping from a chair to the floor, and when a patient is found on the floor (Hitcho et al., 2008). This critique will discuss data collection, data management, analysis, and interpretation of the findings. The Washington University Institutional Review Board gave their approval for this study. Written consent was waived due to the fact that this study was part of a hospital-based project to improve quality. The study did not pose any risks to the patients as the patients were not put in any situation to induce a fall, and no precautions were taken away from patients that prevent falls. Several sources and a comprehensive fall data collection tool was used to collect data on the patients that fell during their hospitalization which included: the database of adverse events, the electronic medical record, the paper chart, and patient/ family interviews, where no objections to being interviewed were noted (Hitcho et al., 2008). The variables that were identified in the study were the patient’s information, details of the fall, contributing factors, injuries sustained, and the actions that were taken as a result of the fall. The patient information included the patient demographics, cognitive status, admitting diagnosis, fall history, medications...
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...health risk to not only the consumer but also anyone around during consumption. Due to numerous toxins found in tobacco products as well as the help of science the government believes it will be wise to increase “Sin Taxes”. With the increase of such taxes healthcare will not only be more affordable, but tobacco products will less likely be purchased. Thus cutting the cost that the government pays in medical care for a smoker. While many people will argue that increasing “Sin Taxes” on tobacco products isn’t beneficial since smoking is an addiction. (Talylor, 2009) The Forms of Tobacco and The Contents While tobacco has many forms they fall into two main categories Smoking Tobacco and Smokeless Tobacco. (Connecticut Department of Health, 2013). Some people believe that some forms are safer then others, the fact remains that there are no safe forms of tobacco and they all pose addiction as well as health problems. Falling under the category of smoking tobacco: Bidis, Cigarettes, Cigars (cigarillos and little cigars), Electronic Cigarette, Hookah, Kreteks and Pipes. Bidis and Kreteks have a higher concentration of nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide than the conventional cigarette. (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Bidi smoking increases the risk for oral cancer, lung, stomach, and esophageal caner. Smoking of Bidis is associated with coronary heart disease, heart attack, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smokers of Kreteks have and increased risk of acute...
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...Public Health Problem: Cardiovascular Disease Cameron Mason HPEB 700 Fall 2015 September 29, 2015 Public Health Problem: Cardiovascular Disease Introduction of the Health Problem and Behavior Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is no big secret to those not only in the US, but worldwide. CVD is also referred to as heart disease and is usually a result of atherosclerosis. A few examples are: myocardial infarction, stroke, and congestive heart failure. CVD is the leading cause of death worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO). There are a few different determinants that relate to this disease which include: social status, environment, support system and their individual behaviors. Individuals’ behaviors...
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...reinforcement, Skinner’s theory Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (P.B.I.S.) is framework utilized within the school system in order to create a positive atmosphere. It is an approach which is implemented through reinforcement of student’s positive behavior. This approach is similar to one known known as the Responsive Classroom approach. The expectation of positive behavior reinforcement is to reduce discipline problems and increase student productivity and learning. These types of reinforcement fall in line with Skinner’s Theory. P.B.I.S. follows a three-tiered framework in order to prevent and correct problem behaviors. * Primary Prevention Strategies are implemented school wide. The purpose of the uniformity is to create a positive school culture, which is for all staff to teach and reinforce positive behavior in a consistent way. * Secondary Prevention Provide additional intervention for at-risk students who may need slightly more prevention. This can be small-group or individual review of rules,...
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...personal information comes more risk than most people realize, but with new technology and awareness many new ways have emerged to secure this information. Many software companies have helped to develop ways to monitor these devices in real time as well as develop abilities to encrypt sensitive information. And as an added feature these files can be sent with encryption features to ensure safe delivery through the World Wide Web.And as an added feature these files can be sent with encryption features to ensure safe delivery through the World Wide Web. Many other features such as firewall prevention help to protect internet based devices from visiting sites that at high risk of data breaches and malware. With knowledge of these risks the responsibility still falls in the hand of the user to make sure personal data is used in a safe way to prevent a loss of valuable information that may be used to harm the user through either personal data or corporate material. Many computers know have software that helps to detect data breaches as well malware. This field is ever growing due to the fact that hackers are becoming cleverer with ways to consume information. Most have developed new tactics such as phishing or piggy-backing schemes to gain access to personal information. Many media outlets have helped to bring awareness to these schemes which help diligent consumers to avoid these scams. With handheld devices and laptops that use wireless internet the risk of personal...
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...University of Phoenix Patient Safety Project Week Six Executive Summary One out of five falls results in major injuries such as fractures and head trauma. Medical cost for such falls are $34 billion yearly, and hospital cost account for two-thirds of the total of falls (CDC, 2013). Along with this information, hospital losses from falls occurring as inpatients have lost millions of dollars in revenue. Many of these fall can be avoided, and can also decrease extended inpatient care along with decrease profit loss. A process must be developed here at Davis Healthcare System (DHS), in response to patient falls, injuries and profit loss. In the Mission and Vision statement at the DHS, it states several key words: high-quality care, safety, innovation, patient-centered care, and that is the reasons that we must initiate the quality improvement plan immediately. Safety deals with lack of harm to the patient and Quality is an effective, efficient and focused direction that to get to safety. Our team of experts in quality improvement will use our mission, tools, communication along with collaborating with the patients to get to the root and cause of this problem. There are several ways to accomplish this goal, 1). Purchasing an item called Radio Frequency Identification floor mats 2). Lowering beds to the floor, 3). Hourly rounds, and 4). Identifying fall risk patients. The only cost involved would be the floor mats, which after discussing with the company of our...
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...OF BUSINESS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ACCOUNTANCY RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN Loss Prevention Management In partial fulfillment of the Requirement in FM 65 Prepared by: ANGELICA C. GAMMAD MARILIE M. MALLILLIN MELVIN F. NARAG MA. REGINA P. GARCIA ELARIANET DELA CRUZ ROMEO MALILLIN Presented to: Mr. Giehlito Dulin TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………….……3 TOP THREE RISK……………………………………………………………………………...4 RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH………………………………………………………….5 RISK IDENTIFICATION………………………………………………………………………6 RISK QUALIFICATION AND PRIORITIZATION………………………………….……...6 RISK MONITORING…………………………………………………………………………..7 RISK MITIGATION AND AVOIDANCE…………………………………………………..10 CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………………...11 RISK REGISTER INTRODUCTION Risk management is a continuous, forward-looking process that is an important part of business and technical management processes. Risk management should address issues that could endanger achievement of critical objectives. A continuous risk management approach is applied to effectively anticipate and mitigate the risks that have critical impact on the project. The purpose of risk management is to identify potential problems before they occur so that risk-handling activities may be planned and invoked as needed across the life of the product or project to mitigate adverse impacts on achieving objectives. Effective risk management includes early and aggressive risk identification through the collaboration and involvement...
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