Numerous research has shown evidence-based practice strategies to help reduce and prevent falls in hospitalized patients. According to Day et al. (2012), exercise is one approach used by Geriatric nurse practitioners to reduce and prevent falls in the elderly. Physical activities such as strength, gait, and coordination training which last for a minimum of 12 weeks has been effective in reducing falls in the elderly. The researcher further elaborated that a primary care provider such as a nurse practitioner can refer a patient who is at risk for falls to a Tai Chi program, an operative, and cost effective technique to encourage exercise and strength training in the elderly. Exercise has been revealed to decrease falls in the elderly by 22% - 37% and reduce the risk of falling by 20%-37% (Hale, Taylor, & Waters, 2012). Fuzhong, Harmer, & Fitzgerald (2016), performed a study to evaluate the effectiveness Tai Ji Quan, a form of balance exercise in fall prevention in older adults. The training focused on gait initiation, alignment, coordination, and …show more content…
Most healthcare facilities integrate hourly rounding to help reduce falls. A quasi- experimental study was conducted by (Olrich, Kalman, & Nigolian, 2012) to determine the efficiency of hourly rounding in hospitalized patients on a medical-surgical unit. The researchers compromised of nurse managers and a clinical nurse specialist educated the nurses and nursing assistants on the importance of hourly rounding and questions to ask when performing hourly round. Some of the questions asked during the rounds included toileting assistance, pain, position and making sure personal items were within reach. At the completion of the study, there was a 23% decrease in falls and an increase in patient satisfaction on the