Relationship Between Toileting Programs and Geriatric Falls in Long-Term Care Facilities

Abstract

Toileting programs, such as two hour continence checks and bringing patients to the bathroom have become a standard in most nursing home facilities. Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities are defined as institutions that offer medical, personal, and supportive care for individuals who are unable to care for themselves in the community (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2016). Falls are a common cause of injury, hospitalization and even death in the Geriatric population, with at least one-third of persons 65 years and older experiencing a fall (Al-Aama, 2011). The purpose of this Evidence Based Practice Brief is to assess a relationship between two hour toileting programs and continence checks and the frequency of geriatric falls in nursing homes. Nurses would be able to utilize this information to provide optimal care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities to decrease the number of falls that occur within the facility related to toileting and continence. This information will be used in both the planning and implementation phase of the nursing process.