Evaluation of the safety of hospitalized older adults as for the risk of falls

Average age of 71.3 years (SD±8.2); 58.7% male; 44% with low educational level; 38.7% hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases; average hospitalization of 10 days (SD±9.38); 78.7% with comorbidities; 61.3% with the calf circumference ≥ 31 cm; 62.7% were former smokers for more than 10 years; 65% did not drink alcohol; 100% did not have identification bracelet; 22.7% had similar names in the infirmary; 48% took up to five medicines; and 93.3% received some invasive procedure, especially the vessel puncture (65.3%). There was a high risk of falls in 52% of older adults.

Conclusion:

The results pointed to imminent risk of breach of patient safety, emphasizing the need for implementation of protocols and predictive scales such as the Morse scale.

Descriptors:
Older Adults; Patient Safety; Accidents by Falls; Nursing Care; Geriatric Nursing

Variables	f	%
Sex
Male	44	58.7
Female	31	41.3
Age group
60-70	39	52.0
71-80	28	37.3
81-90	08	10.7
Average (71.3)Standard deviation (±8.2)
Origin
Belém	43	57.3
Other municipalities	32	42.7
Has income
Yes	57	85.1
No	10	14.9
Income
Up to one minimum wage	45	60.0
1-3 minimum wages	17	22.7
4 or + minimum wages	4	5.3
Education level
Never studied	12	16.0
1 to 3 years of study	33	44.0
4 to 8 years of study	24	32.0
9 years of study or more	06	8.0

Variables	f	%
Reason for admission
Cardiovascular system diseases	29	38.7
Gastrointestinal system diseases	25	33.3
Respiratory system diseases	06	08.0
Diseases of other systems^* * Diseases of other systems: Decompensated diabetes mellitus, Pain to be specified, Erysipelas Bullosum, Infection to be specified, Septicemia, Aplastic Anemia, Hemorrhagic Syndrome, Osteomyelitis, Pemphigus.	15	20.0
Comorbidities
Yes	59	78.7
No	16	21.3
Type of comorbidities
SAH^ SAH = Systemic Arterial Hypertension, DM = Diabetes Mellitus;	22	29.3
DM^ SAH = Systemic Arterial Hypertension, DM = Diabetes Mellitus;	07	09.3
SAH+DM	26	34.7
Others	04	05.3
Complications during hospitalization
Yes	16	21.3
No	59	78.7
Type of complication
Infection	6,0	8.0
Pressure injury	3,0	4.0
Others^* ***** Other types of complications: Delirium, Liver Cirrhosis, Dyspnea, Seizure, Bleeding, Immobility Syndrome;	7,0	9.3
Type of surgical procedure
Amputation	01	1.3
Colostomy	01	1.3
Appendectomy	01	1.3
Tracheostomy	01	1.3
Calf circumference^** ****** Evaluated in the older adult.
< 31 cm	29	38.7
≥ 31 cm	46	61.3
Number of admissions
1-3	62	82.7
4-6	11	14.7
> 6	02	2.7

Variables	f	%
ID bracelet
Yes	0	0.00
No	75	100
Similar names in the same nursery
Yes	17	22.7
No	58	77.3
Number of medicines
1-5	36	48.0
6-10	26	34.7
> 10	13	17.3
Undergone invasive procedure
Yes	70	93.3
No	05	06.7
Invasive procedure type
Vessel puncture	49	65.3
Bladder catheter	14	18.7
Gastric catheter	03	4.0
Others	04	5.3

Variable	f	%
*Morse Score^ * Scores of the scale: 0-24, low risk; 25-44, moderate risk; > 45 high risk**
Low risk	14	18.7
Moderate risk	22	29.3
High risk	39	52.0
Total	75	100

Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem SGA Norte Quadra 603 Conj. "B" - Av. L2 Norte 70830-102 Brasília, DF, Brasil, Tel.: (55 61) 3226-0653, Fax: (55 61) 3225-4473 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: reben@abennacional.org.br

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[1] CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Nathalia de Araujo Sarges. Email: nathdream@hotmail.com