Introduction
Falls in middle-aged and elderly people comprise one of the many issues addressed in the nursing practice. Assessment of risk factors associated with the challenge examines individuals aged forty years and above. Some of the elements commonly associated with falls include a population’s drinking habits, exercise patterns, socioeconomic status, and medical history (Chang, Chang, Chao, Ou, & Sun, 2013). Studies have established that the frequency of falls is higher in middle-aged and elderly people who have more exposure to various risk factors. In quantitative studies used in assessing the risk factors, data was collected through the use of questionnaires. It was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The studies used large sample sizes that provided a clear representation of the target populations.
Discussion
One such study was conducted to assess the risk factors of falls among middle-aged and elderly people in a community medical center in Yunlin County, Taiwan (Chang et al., 2013). One of the main risk factors of falls that were identified during the study was the number of health care providers working in a hospital compared to the number of patients admitted on a daily basis. In a longitudinal study conducted over a period of 54 months in various acute care hospitals, it was established that hospitals with magnet status or a bed capacity of more than three hundred patients, and a high number of health care providers recorded fewer cases of falls among the target population (Everhart et al., 2014). It is important to have numerous and competent health care workers in every hospital in order to provide good care to patients.
Reviewing some of the studies conducted by other physicians and comparing their outcomes plays a crucial role in developing a clear understanding of all the risk factors associated with falls in middle-aged and elderly people. The main reason for reviewing past studies is the need to contemplate whether the outcomes of a controlled quality improvement study add to the reliability and predictability of fall assessment tools (Hunderfund, Sweeney, Mandrekar, Johnson, & Britton, 2011). A study conducted at Saint Mary’s hospital in Minnesota using a controlled group of adult medical inpatients and an intervention group of patients admitted to inpatient neurology established that there were a number of multidisciplinary benefits associated with reliable fall risk assessment (Hunderfund et al., 2011).
Conclusion
It is important to have a clear understanding of the nursing process. Studies have established that it influences the rate of falls in middle-aged and elderly people. According to experts, nurses are in a unique position to assess, design, implement, as well as evaluate programs for the reduction and prevention of falls among the target population (Kline, Davis, & Thom, 2011). Such programs are very important in eliminating the negative outcomes associated with falls in the people affected (Verghese, Holtzer, Lipton, & Wang, 2009).
References
Chang, C., Chang, Y., Chao, T., Ou, L., & Sun, Z. (2013). Epidemiological survey of quantitative ultrasound in risk assessment of falls in middle-aged and elderly people. Plos One, 8(8).
Everhart, D., Schumacher, J. R., Duncan, P. R., Hall, A. G., Neff, D. F., & Shore R. I. (2014). Determinants of hospital fall rate trajectory groups: A longitudinal assessment of nurse staffing and organizational characteristics. Health Care Management Review, 39(4), 352-360. Web.
Hunderfund, A. N. L., Sweeney, C. M., Mandrekar, J. N., Johnson, L. M., & Britton, J. W. (2011). Effect of a multidisciplinary fall risk assessment on falls among neurology inpatients. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 86(1), 19-24. Web.
Kline, N. E., Davis, M. E, & Thom, B. (2011). Fall risk assessment and prevention. Oncology, 25(2), 17-22. Web.
Verghese, J., Holtzer, R., Lipton, R., & Wang, G. (2009). Quantitative gait markers and incident fall risk in older adults. Journal of Gerontology, 64A(8), 896-901.