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NURSE'S ROLE IN IDENTIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS PHARMACOTHERAPY AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO FALLS OF HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS

Hana Hajduchova, I. Brabcova, V. Tothova, S. Bartlova, J. Maly

Abstract

Falls constitute a serious problem primarily in elderly persons. The highest prevalence of falls can be expected in hospitalized persons and falls are considered undesirable and hazardous incidents that may have serious impact on the expected therapeutic outcomes. The assessment of risk of falls provides basic information to determine the right interventions efficient for preventions. The nursing activities of care for patients endangered by fall include: identification of risk of fall in the admitted patient, its periodic re-evaluation in the course of hospitalization and implementation of preventive interventions. The nurses should assess the risk factors of each patient and subsequently use the acquired information for prevention of fall. Pharmacotherapy can play an important role in connection with falls. According to Joint Commission Resources, pharmacotherapy constitutes the fifth most frequent cause of falls in seniors. Falls occur most frequently in connection with taking of medicines that influence stability, cognitive qualities and attention, lead to dramatic changes of blood pressure or blood sugar, have sedative effects, lead to displays of parkinsonism or damage the sight and the hearing. From the perspective of prevention of falls of hospitalized patients, the nurses' knowledge may be crucial for this issue. The goal of this paper will consist in presenting the partial outcomes of the project called Analysis of factors influencing the risk of falls - potential involvement of nurses and pharmacists in minimization of the risk, implemented by the Faculty of Health and Social Studies of the University of South Bohemia in ?eskГ© Bud?jovice and the Faculty of Pharmacy of Charles University in Hradec KrГЎlovГ© in the Czech Republic. Supported from the program project of the Czech Ministry of Health with reg. No. 16- 33463A. All rights are reserved according to the regulations for protection of intellectual property.

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