Discussion Question:
Older adults (OA) are at risk for potential hazards of hospitalization, these include: immobility, delirium, medication side effects, malnutrition, pressure ulcers, procedures, peri- and postoperative periods, and hospital-acquired infections and more. Discuss in detail three potential hazards for this population while in the hospital and identify potential prevention strategies for each hazard.
Your initial posting should be at least 400 words in length and utilize at least one scholarly source other than the textbook.
Assignment
: Emergency Plan for the Older Adult (OA)
Based on what you have learned so far in this course, create a PowerPoint presentation that addresses each of the following points/questions. Be sure to completely answer all the questions for each bullet point. Use clear headings that allow your professor to know which bullet you are addressing on the slides in your presentation. Support your content with at least two (2) sources throughout your presentation. Make sure to reference the citations using the APA writing style for the presentation. Include a slide for your references at the end. Follow best practices for PowerPoint presentations related to text size, color, images, effects, wordiness, and multimedia enhancements. Review the rubric criteria for this assignment.
Locate the American Red Cross in your area: in person
- Identify what is necessary for emergency supplies to have on hand for a healthy older adult (OA).
- Visit with an older family member or friend to identify specific needs for this older adult (reasonable for this person).
- Why is this important for OA singles or couples who live independently without services?
Assignment Expectations:
Length: 6-8 slides
Structure: Include a title slide, objective slide, content slides, reference slide in APA format.
References: Use appropriate APA style in-text citations and references for all resources utilized to answer the questions. A minimum of two (2) scholarly sources are required for this assignment.
Rubric: This assignment uses a rubric for scoring. Please review it as part of your assignment preparation and again prior to submission to ensure you have addressed its criteria at the highest level.
Format: Save your assignment as a Microsoft PowerPoint document (.pptx) or a PDF document (.pdf)
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Older adults who are hospitalized are at risk of experiencing potential hazards that can lead to adverse outcomes. In this discussion, we will examine three possible hospitalization hazards and identify potential prevention strategies for each of them.
Three Potential Hazards for Older Adults while in the Hospital:
1. Medication Side Effects
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to medication side effects due to age-related changes in their body metabolism. When admitted to the hospital, older adults’ medication regimen is usually changed to suit the hospital’s drug formulary. Consequently, they may experience adverse drug reactions or drug interactions that can lead to hospitalization morbidity and mortality. To prevent medication side effects, doctors should conduct medication reviews to reduce polypharmacy and carefully assess the risk-benefit of prescribing medications for older adults.
2. Delirium
Delirium is one of the most common complications experienced by older adults during hospitalization. It is characterized by a sudden onset of confusion, disorientation, and inattention. Delirium can worsen the hospital outcomes for older adults since it increases morbidity, length of stay, institutionalization, and mortality rates. Delirium prevention strategies include maintaining patients’ cognitive function such as adequate pain control, hydration, and addressing sensory impairments like visual and hearing loss.
3. Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)
Older adults are at a high risk of acquiring HAIs due to their weakened immune systems and frailty. The most common HAIs are urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections. To prevent HAIs, healthcare providers should observe hand hygiene practices, use sterile techniques during invasive procedures, and provide immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Prevention Strategies for the Hazards:
1. Medication Side Effects
(a) Prescribers should conduct medication reviews and avoid prescribing unnecessary medications.
(b) Monitor drug-drug interactions and consider dose reduction or changing medication when required.
(c) Health care providers should educate patients and their caregivers about medication administration and potential side effects to encourage adherence and self-care.
2. Delirium
(a) Implement a structured delirium prevention program by educating nurses and physicians about prevention strategies.
(b) Observe regular patient assessment for cognitive changes and monitor sleep-wake cycles.
(c) Mobilize patients early and implement early pain control measures.
3. Hospital-Acquired Infections
(a) Patient education on hand hygiene practices and other infection prevention measures, like self-isolation, and limiting contact with other sick people.
(b) Use of antibiotic stewardship programs that promote the appropriate use of antibiotics to avoid antibiotic resistance.
(c) Cleaning and disinfection of hospital equipment and surfaces to prevent cross-contamination.
Conclusion:
Older adults need special care during hospitalization to prevent complications and improve their outcomes. Health care providers should be aware of the potential hazards that older adults face and implement prevention strategies to minimize the risks. By doing so, hospitalizations can be safer, shorter, and more effective.
