Impact of Geriatric Experience Training on Nurses in Preventing Falls in Elderly Patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effects of geriatric experience training on nurses from multiple primary healthcare units in the context of population aging. The study also evaluated the impact of this training on improving nurses' cognitive abilities in preventing falls/bedside accidents in elderly patients and implementing safe nursing practices to reduce the incidence of falls/bedside accidents.

METHODS: A total of 302 nurses involved in geriatric care from 18 primary healthcare units in the region were randomly categorized into 2 groups on a 1:1 basis. The control group received regular training on falls/bedside accident prevention for patients, whereas the observation group received additional geriatric experience training along with the regular training. Further, 420 elderly patients who experienced moderate-to-severe falls/bedside accidents between February and July 2022, with a Morse Fall Scale (MFS) score of ≥25 were randomly assigned to either the observation or control group on a 1:1 basis. This study compared the 2 groups in terms of nurses' awareness of falls/bedside accident risks, incidence of falls/bedside accidents in patients and patient satisfaction with fall/bedside accident prevention care.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed (P > .05) between the 2 groups of nurses, except in their awareness of the aging population and the increased risk for falls/bedside accidents in elderly patients. However, the observation group nurses scored higher in other aspects of falls/bedside accident risk awareness after undergoing geriatric experience training (P < .05). The incidence of falls/bedside accidents was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < .05). Patient satisfaction with falls/bedside accident prevention care was significantly higher in the observation group compared with the control group (P < .05).

CONCLUSION: Geriatric experience training for nurses in multiple primary healthcare units in the region could effectively improve the capabilities of primary hospitals in preventing falls/bedside accidents.