Nursing interventions aimed at reducing complications set in the hospitalisation of the elderly
Canga Armayor, A.D., Narvaiza Solís, Mª.J..

SUMMARY

   Hospitalisation of the elderly can result in the lost of physical and cognitive skills. Research question: Does a standardised nursing intervention with elder patients who are admitted in acute wards reduce complications from hospitalisation? Study design: Experimental study with a control group (18 cases) and an intervention group (13 cases). Participants (older than 70 years) were randomly allocated in the two groups. Standardised intervention. Measurements took place at admission and discharge. Measurement was made through: The Crichton Royal Behaviour Scale (CRBRS), assessment of skin, nutritional status, risk of falls, and presence of mucus in airways. Findings: The control group obtained significantly higher scores in the Crichton Royal Behaviour Scale (p= 0.02) than the intervention group. Conclusion: The intervention was effective.

KEY WORDS

   Hospitalised elderly, complications of hospitalisation, protocol of nursing interventions.

Vol. 17 nº1-2006