Educational action on fall prevention with hospitalized patients

Abstract

Objective: To report the experience lived during the development of an educational action aimed at preventing falls among hospitalized patients. Experience report: The activity was carried out by nursing undergraduate students during Nursing Internship II at a University Hospital located in the municipality of Belém, Brazil. The educational action addressed the theme “Patient Safety: Fall Prevention” and involved hospitalized patients, their companions, and visitors. The activity included discussions on the importance of adopting preventive measures to reduce the risk of falls in the hospital environment. Simple and effective actions were emphasized, such as the appropriate use of non-slip footwear, requesting assistance from the nursing staff for ambulation, proper use of bed side rails, correct bed height and locking, as well as adequate organization and lighting of the environment. The educational intervention was positively evaluated by the preceptor nurses, who acknowledged the relevance of educational actions in the hospital setting to improve care indicators and prevent adverse events, especially falls. Final considerations: Can be considered educational action contributed to the promotion of patient safety by reinforcing and expanding the knowledge of patients and companions regarding risk factors and preventive measures related to falls in the hospital environment.