Patient fall is a vital health issue among many people globally, especially in elderly individuals. Physicians have linked cancer patients with an increased risk of falls because of chemotherapy treatment and the side effects of the drugs they take. Researchers have published systematic reviews on the various interventions that can help reduce fall rates and related injuries, but falls persist despite these interventions. Tucker et al. (2019) have credible evidence that perfectly discusses the patient, practitioners, and organizational influences that may affect the patient fall prevention program sustainability in oncology units. Scholars and nurses use a designed criterion to assess the validity of a scientific journal so that they can perfectly apply the knowledge gained in the evidence-based practice.
The evaluation of the credibility of a journal article relates to the quality of information contained within the report. According to Ahmad and Jan (2018), in checking the credibility of a source, an individual should consider the publication date, themes in the journal, a peer-reviewed source, author credentials, and publisher reputation. The themes relating to fall among oncology patients in Tucker et al. (2019) were logically arranged, increasing reliability.
The authors’ credentials were highly reputable, as even some held Ph.D. in nursing, thus making the journal even more reliable. They wrote the journal within the time range of five years from the current date, allowing the collection of current and evidence-based practices to apply in the nursing field. The publisher Sigma Theta Tau is the second-largest and well-recognized nursing organization, thus enhancing the reliability of Tucker et al. (2019). The above criterion shows that Tucker et al. (2019) can be relied upon in taking the interventions to apply in clinical practice as a nurse. Cullen et al. (2017) and Liddle et al. (2018) also meet the above criterion and thus can be relied on to get reliable, evidence-based interventions.
It is critical to engage the victims in evaluating fall risk and establish a clear communication strategy within the hospital to assist the fall prevention program. Tucker et al. (2019) established that creating a principle of engagement between the patients and practitioners made a fall prevention program successful. The study found that nurses had the knowledge to prevent fall risks among patients but had knowledge gaps on concerns with unassisted toileting, risks for patients using assistive aids, and reality alarms. Training sessions about communication strategies within the nursing staff and with patients will ensure the success of the intervention programs.
Cullen et al. (2017) discussed how the PICO model of evidence-based analysis could reduce fall prevention among the patients. This model entails finding the target population, then intervention, comparison, and outcome of the adoption of the practice. The book also discusses how the Iowa model of evidence based-research can be adopted to help clinicians find the most appropriate interventions for their patients. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics developed the Iowa model as an essential tool for guiding the nurses to use the research findings to improve patient care.
Assessing the fall risk patients serves as a necessary intervention in reducing the instances of falls among victims. Liddle et al. (2018) show that policy managers, health practitioners, and educators have prevented falls among patients. They also show that funding helps to sustain the programs meant to reduce fall incidences among patients. Allied health practitioners (AHP) face many challenges, such as encouraging their clients to adopt the fall prevention routine. Inter-practitioners’ workshops on fall prevention interventions and enhanced communication among the health workers serve as a crucial intervention in decreasing falls among the elderly.
References
Ahmad, M., & Jan, M. A. (2018). Evaluating research: Diversity and credibility of information sources. Dialogue (Pakistan), 13(4), 1-16.
Cullen, L., Hanrahan, K., Farrington, M., DeBerg, J., Tucker, S., & Kleiber, C. (2017). Evidence-based practice in action: Comprehensive strategies, tools, and tips from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Liddle, J., Lovarini, M., Clemson, L., Mackenzie, L., Tan, A., Pit, S. W., Poulos, R., Tiedemann, A., Sherrington, C., Roberts, C., & Willis, K. (2018). Making fall prevention routine in primary care practice: Perspectives of allied health professionals. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), 1-9. Web.
Tucker, S., Sheikholeslami, D., Farrington, M., Picone, D., Johnson, J., Matthews, G., Evans, R., Gould, R., Bohlken, D., Comried, L., Petrulevich, K., Perkhounkova, E., & Cullen, L. (2019). Patient, nurse, and organizational factors that influence evidence‐based fall prevention for hospitalized oncology patients: An exploratory study. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 16(2), 111–120. Web.