Evidence-Based Practice Proposal - Section D: Solution Description

Evidence-Based Practice Proposal - Section D: Solution Description
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Evidence-Based Practice Proposal - Section D: Solution Description
Elderly patients are most vulnerable to falls within a medical environment (Al-Faisa, 2006). The adversities associated with the group’s falls include severe pain, premature death, disability, and loss of independence demands the adoption of preventive measures (Al-Faisa, 2006). Since the most prevalent causes of falls in hospital environments are associated environmental factors, the best approaches towards lowering the prevalence of falls within the hospital settings are by comprehensive environmental hazard assessment and reduction (Heslin, Berdusco, & Bernick, 2005). Hazard checklists are used within the hospital to identify potential hazards and in turn, take corrective measures. Slippery floors are the core contributors of falls in most cases, thus an assessment is necessary to determine the existence of such and developing a safety floor plan that provides a firm walking surface and capable of absorbing shock in case of falls (Sentinel Event Alert, 2015). Regular environmental inspections are necessary, and the hospital staff can employ hazard-reporting tools to alert the concerned parties on factors that require fixing like fluid spillages on the floor (Heslin, Berdusco, & Bernick, 2005). Environments that are safe for particular patients may not be safe for others, with an example being a bathroom door that is wide enough for an normal patient, but may not be enough for those using assistive devices (Health Research & Educational Trust, 2016). Environmental hazard assessment is a realistic intervention towards lowering cases of falls for the elderly populations in hospitals. However, a particular department should be charged with the responsibility of enhancing patient safety, and the members trained on the best approaches towards achieving effectiveness (Aiken, Clarke, Sloane, & Lake, 2009).
The principle role of hospitals and other medical facilities is to provide medical care for acute illnesses and create an environment that is conducive to healing (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2009). Since the medical facilities endeavor to prevent further harm to patients while hospitalized, environmental hazard assessments and reduction forms part of the mission and culture, hence consistent with the hospital’s core mandate. Environmental risk evaluations and reductions ensure that fall risks to the elderly patients are lowered through the provision of a safe healing environment, thereby translating to a reduction in the frequency o...