Group project

Goals and Objectives:

Nursing home injuries can be prevented in the facility staff stays vigilant and consistently works to improve the safety of each individual as well as the safety of the physical environment. The CDC suggests that nursing homes adopt a multipronged approach to reduce the number of accidents. This involves:

· Individual assessment of each patient including their likelihood of sustaining injury

· Consistent reeducation of staff regarding risks and prevention strategies

· Minimizing use of medicines that are most dangerous or likely to lead to injury

· System checks to prevent overmedication and chemical restraint

· Removing hazards and adding safety features to the facility

· Exercise programs and vitamin D supplementation to improve mobility and decrease injury

By following these steps and other safety interventions, a nursing home can reduce the rate of injury sustained by its resident population.

Another simple, but expensive, way for nursing homes to make their facilities safer is to add more staff. With more medical professionals in a nursing home, residents can be given more individual attention and care. Larger numbers of medical professionals can:

· Reassess the safety and mobility of residents more often

· Ensure that patients are constantly readjusted to prevent development of bed sores

· Closely monitor the physical health, mental health, and medications of patients

Also, we could:

· Reduce injuries in nursing homes.

· Educational programs for employers.

· Know signs and symptoms for serious trauma, minor or major.

· Documentation that prevention is key (objective).

· Set specific needs for elderly, identify program focus.

Sources:

D’Arcy, Laura, P., Yasuko Sasai, and Sally, C. Stearns. “Do Assistive Devices, Training, and Workload Affect Injury Incidence? Prevention Efforts by Nursing Homes and Back Injuries among Nursing Assistants.” Journal of Advanced Nursing 68.4 (2012): 836-845. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Web. 1 Mar. 2014.