Measuring fall risk in patients hospitalized in palliative care services and factors affecting nutritional risk

Abstract

Objective: The study was conducted to determine the fall risk of patients hospitalized in the palliative care services of state hospitals affiliated to Bursa health directorate and to determine the differences between the groups with and without malnutrition risk. Method: The sample of the study, which was planned as a descriptive study, consisted of consecutive (n=573) patients over 65 years of age who were hospitalized in the palliative care services of public hospitals affiliated to Bursa Health Directorate in the first six months of 2022. The Itaki Fall Risk Scale (19 questions), which will be used to determine the study data, socio-demographic and clinical data of patients (13 questions), fall risk and fall event (13 questions), and fall risk score (for patients aged 17 and over), Nutritional risk collected using the test. Statistical analysis of the data obtained was done using the frequency and percentage, chi-square test in SPSS for Windows 18.0 program. Results: The number of hospitalized patients during the time we worked in palliative care services was 752. Of these, 573 people over the age of 65 were included in our study. The median age of the group aged 65-100 years is 80. 53.2% were female, 46.8% were male. 92% of them had at least one chronic disease. The three most common chronic diseases were HT, Alzheimer's and Cerebrovascular Disease, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed in the scoring of COPD, Alzheimer's and pressure ulcers in the groups with and without nutritional risk, respectively.(p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001) Conclusion: Malnutrition, falls, and bedsores can be prevented early in patients screened with appropriate scales. In this way, it may be possible to prevent the burden of disease on the caregiver, the society, and the state.