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HOSPITAL BASED NURSING OF THE ELDERLY (ADVANTAGES (COMMUNICATION AMONG…
HOSPITAL BASED NURSING OF THE ELDERLY
ADVANTAGES
COMMUNICATION AMONG PRACTITIONERS
There is handing over among practitioners to prevent error and duplication of diagnostic procedures and treatment.
EARLY MOBILIZATION
Early mobilization is initiated to prevent physical deterioration due to decreased activity during illness and hospitalization.
CHANGES IN HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT
When disruptive or very ill patients are identified they are placed near the nursing station or change room mates to ensure protection and safety.
ROOMING IN PROGRAMS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS
The hospital setting provide a better one-on-one to relieve staff members of some care giving tasks to alley patients anxiety particularly if the patient has delirium or dementia and enable a family member to participate.
DOCUMENTATION OF DRUG REGIMEN
Indication of each new drug is documented in the patients file to maintain a daily list of drugs prescribed and received and thus avoids using unnecessary drug and help prevent drug interaction.
PRIMARY NURSE CARE
Within the hospital there are nurses around the clock with the responsibility to care and monitor the elderly. They administer the teams health care plan, to monitor the response to nursing and medical care and to teach and counsel the elderly and family members.
DISCHARGE PLANNING
Before discharge health education and follow up visits are given to ensure that appropriate care continues.
GERIATRIC INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM
Its a team of health care professionals within the hospital which identify the complex needs of the elderly and prevent problems that are common among the elderly and that may develop and worsen during hospitalization
TRANSITION OF CARE
In hospital patients are transferred to other facilities to ensure that all the patient is cared for holistically.
DISADVANTAGES
ADVERSE DRUG EFFECTS
During hospitalization adverse drug effect are higher in the elderly patient because of age related changes in pharmakinetics and pharmadynamics
BED REST EFFECTS
Prolonged bed rest can occur during hospitalization and can cause deconditioning resulting in decrease in muscle strength, bone loss,increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis,e.t.c
FALLS
The use of sedatives and certain anti hypertensives increase the risk of falls. Although bed rails may help remind the elderly patient to call for assistance before attempting to get up, bed rails may also tempt patients to climb over or around them and thus contributes to patients falls.
INCONTINENCE
Urinary and fecal incontinence develops in most hospitalized patients because of unfamiliar environment, psychoactive drugs. a bed that is too high and impaired ambulation.
PRESSURE ULCERS
They often develop in elderly hospitalized patients because of age related changes in the skin. they can also develop because of poor nutrition and chronic disorders. direct pressure can also cause pressure ulcers.
UNDER-NUTRITION
Under-nutrition can be caused by prolonged hospitalization which exacerbates pre-existing problems and often results in significant nutritional loss.
MENTAL STATE CHANGES
Elderly patients may appear confused because they have dementia, delirium or depression or confusion may be exacerbated in the hospital setting because of acute illness and age related changes in cognition.
References:
(Msdmanuals.com, 2018)