[Prevention of falls of hospitalized elderly patients using clinical pathway].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore effective strategies for preventing falls of hospitalized elderly patients using clinical pathway. METHODS: A total of 2442 patients aged > or = 70 years who were hospitalized during December 2009 and December 2010 were recruited for the study. The patients were assessed with "Falls Risk Assessment and Nursing Care Inventory" and 1796 were identified as with high risk of falls. The clinical pathway for preventing falls was applied to those patients with high risk of falls. The interventions included timely assessments, safe environment and facilities, targeted health education, extended nursing care on patients with high risk, improved hand-off, rational use of medicine, and so on. RESULTS: Only 4 patients fell, with an incidence of 0.22%. Sex, age, disease, psychological factors, clothing, hospital environment, drug effects, and history of falls were associated with the occurrence of falls. CONCLUSION: Risk assessment and targeted intervention through clinical pathway are effective strategies for preventing falls of hospitalized elderly patients.