Strategies to reduce risk of fall-related injuries in rehabilitation nursing.
Rehabilitation nurses are in a critical position to lead interdisciplinary team fall prevention management, including injury risk reduction. This article provides an update for rehabilitation nurses on evidence-based strategies to reduce patients'risk of fall-related injuries. This content builds on existing literature by focusing on knowledge to promote patient responses that reduce the risk of falls and ultimately fall-related injuries. Although rehabilitation nurses understand the complex nature of falls, addressing the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors that increase the risk of fall-related injuries requires both individually based treatment programs and a system-wide commitment. A plethora of literature discusses fall risks and falls, but this article profiles the at-risk patient and describes current and emerging evidence-based interventions to protect patients from fall-related injuries by reducing risk factors. This discussion is limited to exercise, environmental redesign, osteoporosis prevention, and hip protectors.
Quigley
Patricia A
PA
VISN 8 Patient Safety Center, USA. Patricia.Quigley@med.va.gov
Bulat
Tatjana
T
Hart-Hughes
Stephanie
S
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011482:Protective Devices; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000379:methods