Abstract

Objective: This article was planned to systematically examine the investigations that can guide the nursing practices for patient safety in home care. Method: In this study, Pubmed, COCHRANE and Science Direction databases were screened. Within the context of the study, a total of 53 studies could be accessed using the key words “nursing”, “home care”, “patient safety” and “elderly indivuduals”, “evidence-based practice”. Thirty-one articles published in English language whose full text could be reached constituted the sample. Results: The results obtained within the context of the study were divided into 4 groups as drug management, the prevention of falls, unplanned hospital admission and applications to improve the quality of life. The creation of training programs to prevent medication errors in the elderly, close monitoring of high-risk individuals, arrangement of video conferences, planning regular phone interviews and individual reminder programs were proposed in drug management. For the prevention of falls and injuries; determination of the risks in these issues, planning prevention programs, using tools and equipment that prevent slipping, controlled and slowly and slowly walking on wet and slippery surfaces, illumination of dark environments and using a drug management model have been proposed.The creation of a 24-hour nurse call systems, caregiver education and the assessment of risk factors were proposed in unplanned hospital admissions. While it was stated that the support of caregivers in family is very important, the incontinence, foot care, self-healthcare management were proposed for improving the quality of life. Conclusions: It has been thought that the management of the care specific to elderly and drug management planned by healthcare professionals, prevention of falls and injuries, minimization of unplanned hospitalizations will contribute to improvement of the quality of life of the elderly, and his/her family.