by Michelle Moccia, DNP, ANP-BC, CCRN and Belinda Dokic, CPHT, MHA.
From the article:
Preventing injuries from falls has been a flagship topic in health care quality improvement and patient safety for nearly two decades. The complications that can follow injurious falls in older adults can cause many adverse outcomes, including death.
This reality, along with associated programming and reporting requirements, has kept the prevention of falls front and center across the health care continuum.
Although everyone can agree that falls are to be avoided, the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative is working to broaden the conversation by emphasizing the physical and mental health benefits associated with mobility and by encouraging greater mobility for older adults in conjunction with falls prevention.
Michelle Moccia is program director, senior emergency center, St. Mary Mercy Livonia Hospital, Livonia, Michigan. Michelle is the president of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA).
Belinda Dokic is regional ACO/CIN program manager, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, Livonia, Michigan.