Publication:

A study on fall incidences affecting patient’s safety in a multispecialty hospital

Background Falls in healthcare settings are a significant concern, resulting in fear, pain, injuries, extended hospital stays, patient discomfort, and diminished quality of life. Several risk factors for falls have been identified, including age, gender, medications, mental status, chronic conditions, and environmental factors. This study aimed to determine fall risk-related activity patterns in patients during hospitalization and identify and describe the incidences of falls, circumstances of falls, and fall-related injuries.

Methods A retrospective, time-bound study was conducted, collecting data from fall incidence reports, patient medical records, and nursing department data using a mixed-methods approach (quantitative data) over a 9-month period (January 2023 to September 2023). The study included all fall patients from January 2023 to September 2023, with a total of 12,673 inpatients and 11 reported fall incidences.

Results The study found that the age group 61-80 years had the highest fall risk incidences, with most falls occurring at night due to patients not wanting to disturb relatives or call nurses for assistance. Additionally, a lack of education regarding fall risk from nurses to patients and relatives was observed, and in some cases, relatives were not present, and nurses were unaware of the patient’s solitude.

Conclusions Fall interventions should be linked to each etiologic factor, and accidental falls can be prevented by ensuring a safe environment. Healthcare and nursing teams play a crucial role in fall prevention, interacting with patients the most, and proper training and autonomy are essential for implementing and assessing individualized preventative measures using information technology systems and tools.