Evaluation of the knowledge of nurses on the prevention of falls in the elderly in the hospital environment

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the knowledge of nurses about the prevention of falls in the elderly in the hospital environment. Method: descriptive-exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, conducted with 10 nurses in august 2021, in the regional hospital of the city of Parnamirim/Rio Grande do Norte. A semi-structured interview script and content analysis were used according to Bardin's proposal. Being approved by the ethics committee of LIGA Norte Riograndese Against Cancer, under the CAAE: 48345621.3.0000.5293. Results: it was identified that the major causes of falls in the elderly are related to physical structure and drug reactions, the non-implementation of a protocol to prevent falls, lack of investment and recently the consequences of the pandemic of sars-cov-2. Conclusion: it was evidenced that nurses know their role in the prevention of falls in the elderly, however, some barriers limit their performance in this scenario, such as work overload, physical structure and lack of insum.