-
Journal of Nursing Management Nov 2021This review aims to identify types of the existing fall prevention education (FPE) and their effectiveness in promoting fall risk awareness, knowledge and preventive...
OBJECTIVES
This review aims to identify types of the existing fall prevention education (FPE) and their effectiveness in promoting fall risk awareness, knowledge and preventive fall behaviour change among community-dwelling older people.
BACKGROUND
FPE is a cost-effective and helpful tool for reducing fall occurrences.
EVALUATION
This is a systematic review study using electronic searches via EBSCOHost® platform, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar in March 2021. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021232102). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement flow chart guided the search strategy. Articles published from January 2010 to March 2021 were included for quality appraisal using the 'Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non-randomised Designs' (TREND) and the 'Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials' (CONSORT) statement for randomised controlled trial studies.
KEY ISSUES
Six FPE studies selected emphasised on personal health status, exercise and environmental risk factors. These studies reported an increase in fall risk awareness or knowledge and a positive change in fall preventive behaviours. Two studies included nurses as educators in FPE.
CONCLUSION
FPE evidently improved awareness or knowledge and preventive fall behaviour change among older adults. Nurses are in great potential in planning and providing FPE for older adults in community settings.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT
Expand nurses' roles in fall prevention programmes in community settings by using high-quality and evidence-based educational tools. Highlight the nurse's role and collaborative management in FPE.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Accidental Falls; Independent Living; Nurse's Role; Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic
PubMed: 34331491
DOI: 10.1111/jonm.13434 -
Revista Gaucha de Enfermagem Feb 2017To identify the risk factors for falls of the community-dwelling elderly in order to update the Taxonomy II of NANDA International. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To identify the risk factors for falls of the community-dwelling elderly in order to update the Taxonomy II of NANDA International.
METHOD
A systematic literature review based on research using the following platforms: EBSCOHost®, CINAHL and MEDLINE, from December 2010 to December 2014. The descriptors used were (Fall* OR Accidental Fall) AND (Community Dwelling OR Community Health Services OR Primary health care) AND (Risk OR Risk Assessment OR Fall Risk Factors) AND (Fall* OR Accidental Fall) AND (Community Dwelling OR older) AND Nurs* AND Fall Risk Factors.
RESULTS
The sample comprised 62 studies and 50 risk factors have been identified. Of these risk factors, only 38 are already listed in the classification.
CONCLUSIONS
Two new categories of risk factors are proposed: psychological and socio-economical. New fall risk factors for the community-dwelling elderly have been identified, which can contribute to the updating of this nursing diagnosis of the Taxonomy II of NANDA International.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Aged; Humans; Independent Living; Risk Factors
PubMed: 28273251
DOI: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.04.55030 -
Latest Research Trends in Fall Detection and Prevention Using Machine Learning: A Systematic Review.Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2021Falls are unusual actions that cause a significant health risk among older people. The growing percentage of people of old age requires urgent development of fall... (Review)
Review
Falls are unusual actions that cause a significant health risk among older people. The growing percentage of people of old age requires urgent development of fall detection and prevention systems. The emerging technology focuses on developing such systems to improve quality of life, especially for the elderly. A fall prevention system tries to predict and reduce the risk of falls. In contrast, a fall detection system observes the fall and generates a help notification to minimize the consequences of falls. A plethora of technical and review papers exist in the literature with a primary focus on fall detection. Similarly, several studies are relatively old, with a focus on wearables only, and use statistical and threshold-based approaches with a high false alarm rate. Therefore, this paper presents the latest research trends in fall detection and prevention systems using Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. It uses recent studies and analyzes datasets, age groups, ML algorithms, sensors, and location. Additionally, it provides a detailed discussion of the current trends of fall detection and prevention systems with possible future directions. This overview can help researchers understand the current systems and propose new methodologies by improving the highlighted issues.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Aged; Algorithms; Humans; Machine Learning; Quality of Life; Seasons
PubMed: 34372371
DOI: 10.3390/s21155134 -
Journal of Patient Safety Jan 2022Our study examines how consistently fall prevention practices and implementation strategies are used by U.S. hospitals.
OBJECTIVE
Our study examines how consistently fall prevention practices and implementation strategies are used by U.S. hospitals.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study of 60 general adult hospital units.We administered a survey measuring 5 domains of fall prevention practices: visibility and identification, bed modification, patient monitoring, patient safety, and education. We measured 4 domains of implementation strategies including quality management (e.g., providing data and support for quality improvement), planning (e.g., designating leadership), education (e.g., providing consultation and training), and restructuring (e.g., revising staff roles and modifying equipment).
RESULTS
Of 60 units, 43% were medical units and 57% were medical-surgical units. The hospital units varied in fall prevention practices, with practices such as keeping a patient's bed in a locked position (73% strongly agree) being used more consistently than other practices, such as scheduled toileting (15% strongly agree). Our study observed variation in fall prevention implementation strategies. For example, publicly posting fall rates (60% strongly agree) was more consistently used than having a multidisciplinary huddle after a fall event (12% strongly agree).
CONCLUSIONS
There is substantial variation in the implementation of fall prevention practices and implementation strategies across inpatient units. Our study found that resource-intensive practices (e.g., scheduled toileting) are less consistently used than less resource-intensive practices and that interdisciplinary approaches to fall prevention are limited. Future studies should examine how units tailor fall prevention practices based on patient risk factors and how units decide, based on their available resources, which implementation strategies should be used.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hospital Units; Humans; Inpatients; Patient Safety
PubMed: 32732628
DOI: 10.1097/PTS.0000000000000758 -
Nursing Reports (Pavia, Italy) Jun 2021Falls are recognized globally as a major public health problem. Although the elderly are the most affected population, it should be noted that the pediatric population... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Falls are recognized globally as a major public health problem. Although the elderly are the most affected population, it should be noted that the pediatric population is also very susceptible to the risk of falling. The fall risk approach is the assessment tool. There are different types of tools used in both clinical and territorial settings.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In the month of January 2021, a literature search was undertaken of MEDLINE, CINHAL and The Cochrane Database, adopting as limits: last 10 years, abstract available, and English and Italian language. The search terms used were "Accidental Falls" AND "Risk Assessment" and "Fall Risk Assessment Tool" or "Fall Risk Assessment Tools".
RESULTS
From the 115 selected articles, 38 different fall risk assessment tools were identified, divided into two groups: the first with the main tools present in the literature, and the second represented by tools of some specific areas, of lesser use and with less supporting literature. Most of these articles are prospective cohort or cross-sectional studies. All articles focus on presenting, creating or validating fall risk assessment tools.
CONCLUSION
Due to the multidimensional nature of falling risk, there is no "ideal" tool that can be used in any context or that performs a perfect risk assessment. For this reason, a simultaneous application of multiple tools is recommended, and a direct and in-depth analysis by the healthcare professional is essential.
PubMed: 34968219
DOI: 10.3390/nursrep11020041 -
Pacific Rim International Journal of... 2022Falls among older adults are preventable events and fall prevention programs led by nursing staff are promising and viable programs for preventing falls. This systematic...
Falls among older adults are preventable events and fall prevention programs led by nursing staff are promising and viable programs for preventing falls. This systematic review aimed to gain insight into the effects of nurse-led fall prevention programs for older adults. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analysis was used as a guideline in reporting this literature search conducted through CINAHL, MEDLINE, Eric, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice was used to determine the level of evidence and quality rating of the articles, while data extraction was done by a matrix review method. The review included six randomized controlled trials, two non-randomized controlled trials, and three quasi-experimental designs. Six studies directed their education component of the intervention on the nursing staff, while three focused on the older participants. Nurses' roles were patient assessment, patient education, administration of exercise programs, and follow-up post interventions. Fall rates and fall incidents were reduced in five studies, while three studies changed patients' behavior. Fall prevention programs with education components specific for older adults and nursing staff resulted in positive outcomes. Nursing staff make a significant contribution to improving patients' outcomes, and a fall prevention program that focuses on reducing injurious fall rates and enhancing participants' behavior could maximize its effects.
PubMed: 36051891
DOI: No ID Found -
Biomedical Engineering Online Jun 2016Pre-impact fall detection has been proposed to be an effective fall prevention strategy. In particular, it can help activate on-demand fall injury prevention systems... (Review)
Review
Pre-impact fall detection has been proposed to be an effective fall prevention strategy. In particular, it can help activate on-demand fall injury prevention systems (e.g. inflatable hip protectors) prior to fall impacts, and thus directly prevent the fall-related physical injuries. This paper gave a systematical review on pre-impact fall detection, and focused on the following aspects of the existing pre-impact fall detection research: fall detection apparatus, fall detection indicators, fall detection algorithms, and types of falls for fall detection evaluation. In addition, the performance of the existing pre-impact fall detection solutions were also reviewed and reported in terms of their sensitivity, specificity, and detection/lead time. This review also summarized the limitations in the existing pre-impact fall detection research, and proposed future research directions in this field.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Algorithms; Humans; Mechanical Phenomena; Monitoring, Ambulatory; Time Factors
PubMed: 27251528
DOI: 10.1186/s12938-016-0194-x -
Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery :... Oct 2021With a practice dedicated to hair restoration and hair loss management, the authors have seen a large number of patients presenting with increased hair fall in the last... (Review)
Review
With a practice dedicated to hair restoration and hair loss management, the authors have seen a large number of patients presenting with increased hair fall in the last 18 months. Hair fall after a stressfull event such as infections with febrile episodes is known. However, the latent period between the infective episode and hair fall has been shorter after COVID-19 infection than before. This review attempts to look at various pathways responsible for hair fall and if this differs from the conventional hair fall seen after any infection. It also tries to understand if the infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus has a direct impact on the hair follicle leading to hair fall.
PubMed: 34984095
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740289 -
Frontiers in Digital Health 2022Fall risk assessment and fall detection are crucial for the prevention of adverse and long-term health outcomes. Wearable sensor systems have been used to assess fall... (Review)
Review
Fall risk assessment and fall detection are crucial for the prevention of adverse and long-term health outcomes. Wearable sensor systems have been used to assess fall risk and detect falls while providing additional meaningful information regarding gait characteristics. Commonly used wearable systems for this purpose are inertial measurement units (IMUs), which acquire data from accelerometers and gyroscopes. IMUs can be placed at various locations on the body to acquire motion data that can be further analyzed and interpreted. Insole-based devices are wearable systems that were also developed for fall risk assessment and fall detection. Insole-based systems are placed beneath the sole of the foot and typically obtain plantar pressure distribution data. Fall-related parameters have been investigated using inertial sensor-based and insole-based devices include, but are not limited to, center of pressure trajectory, postural stability, plantar pressure distribution and gait characteristics such as cadence, step length, single/double support ratio and stance/swing phase duration. The acquired data from inertial and insole-based systems can undergo various analysis techniques to provide meaningful information regarding an individual's fall risk or fall status. By assessing the merits and limitations of existing systems, future wearable sensors can be improved to allow for more accurate and convenient fall risk assessment. This article reviews inertial sensor-based and insole-based wearable devices that were developed for applications related to falls. This review identifies key points including spatiotemporal parameters, biomechanical gait parameters, physical activities and data analysis methods pertaining to recently developed systems, current challenges, and future perspectives.
PubMed: 35911615
DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.921506 -
Injury Epidemiology Dec 2023Fall deaths in the USA almost tripled in the twenty-first century. While various interventions have been effective in reducing fall deaths, they have failed to make a...
BACKGROUND
Fall deaths in the USA almost tripled in the twenty-first century. While various interventions have been effective in reducing fall deaths, they have failed to make a substantial impact at a population level.
MAIN BODY
An overarching factor that has been relatively neglected in fall injury prevention is the need for more and better data. We need better data on the causes and circumstances of older adult fall deaths. While there are excellent national surveillance systems on the circumstances of other injury deaths (e.g., motor vehicle crashes, suicides, and homicides), such a system is lacking for fall deaths. These other data systems have been instrumental in indicating and evaluating policies that will reduce injury. It is also important to provide consumers with better information concerning the many products that affect the likelihood of fall injury (e.g., flooring, hip protectors, footwear). Automotive buyers are provided with relevant up-to-date make-model safety information from crash tests and real-world performance. Such information not only helps protect buyers from purchasing dangerous products, but it provides producers with the incentive to make ever safer products over time.
CONCLUSION
We believe that creation of a national surveillance system on the circumstances of fall deaths, and increased testing/certifying of fall-related products, are two steps that would help create the conditions for continuous reductions in fall fatalities. Fall prevention should apply some of the same basic strategies that have proved effective in addressing other injuries.
PubMed: 38129920
DOI: 10.1186/s40621-023-00481-2