[CONSEQUENCES OF FALLS IN A GERIATRIC NURSING CENTER FOR VALID. DESCRIPTIVE STUDY].

OBJECTIVE: To address the immediate consequences produced in the falls suffered by valid institutionalized elderly population' in the last twelve months.

METHOD: A cross sectional study, by personal interview. Simple random sampling was performed. The study area corresponded to a private nursing home. The measuring instruments used in the study were the Mini Mental State Examination Lobo (MEC-35, 1979) to initially assess the level of cognitive development elderly study participants, and the WHO questionnaire for the study of falls in the elder 1989.

RESULTS: Of the 21 drops produced in the last twelve months was found that 61.9% of falls were female, compared to 38.1% who relapsed in males. 52.4% of falls are not caused any consequences. 28.6% of falls caused superficial injuries and/or bruises, while the proportion of fractures corresponded to 19% for both sexes. Most of the falls did not produce immediate consequences whose percentage was 52.4% of cases. Second are superficial wounds and/or bruises with 28.6% and finally fractures with a ratio of 19%.

CONCLUSIONS: The investigators considered the necessity of involvement of health professionals and the implementation ofpreventive strategies that can reduce the prevalence of falls. Thiswill successfully improve the quality of life of the elderly.