Falls in the elderly as a patient safety issue

Resumen

Background: Falls are a persistent problem that causes serious injuries, increasing the length of hospitalization and consequently the cost of health care. Maintaining autonomy and independence is the goal of active aging, a term coined by the WHO in the late 1990s. There are different strategies for dealing with this health problem, such as the European Innovation Partnership on active and healthy ageing (EIP on AHA), the FRADEA and FRALLE study at national level, among others. Aims: The main objective is the analysis of the different patient safety strategiesrelated to the prevention of falls in the elderly in the health care, social care and home environments. Methods: To meet the above objectives, a literature review has been carried out on the main evidence-based databases assessing patient safety in relation to fall risk. The key words used were: falls, fragility, ageing and safety. Results: According to the different studies analyzed, 50% of falls generate some type of minor injury, which causes pain and functional limitation, and between 5-10% of the elderly suffer a fracture or trauma. The incidence of non-hospitalized people over 65 years old who suffer falls is around 30%, increasing up to 40% the risk in institutions. Conclusions: From the nursing field, it is essential to detect the causes of falls, evaluate the characteristics of the elderly person and their environment through the relevant questionnaires and act on the risk factors, in order to create preventive activities. Relevance for nursing science in Europe: The realization of the present project evidences the global concern related to the creation of patient safety strategies related to active aging. Different strategies are offered that can be used as a guide for care in an international scope, as well as the acquisition of new skills that prevent the appearance of falls in the different care environments and at home.