Causes and consequences of falls in elderly assisted in the hospital of Santo Estevão, BA

Abstract

Population aging is a phenomenon that occurs worldwide in an increasingly way, and resulting from this process, chronic illness arises, favoring the onset of disabling conditions that facilitate the occurrence of falls. This study aimed to describe the causes and consequences of falls in elderly assisted in the Municipal Hospital of Santo Estevão, BA from July 2012 to July 2013. This is a quantitative study of exploratory and descriptive nature, based on secondary data extracted from nursing records of patients treated at the hospital and residents of the town. The sample consisted of 127 elderly aged 60 years old and over, who lived in this town and were admitted in this period because of a fall. The results showed that there was a female predominance with 83 events (65.4%); the preponderant age group was 80 years old and more with 45 occurrences (35.4%); a fall from their own height of 88 events (75.86%) represented the clearest determining factor among the falls. The incidence of this event is associated with a fall from their own height, having as the primary consequence the pains felt by the patient that are mostly caused by extrinsic factors. This study brings a reflection to health care professionals, to public policy, and the society as a whole, to promote the inclusion of preventive measures and strategies in the health care system for the elderly, to identify early elderly with potential risk to fall down, as well as prevent recurrences.