Citation

Tan KM, Austin B, Shaughnassy M, Higgins C, McDonald M, Mulkerrin EC, O'Keeffe ST. Ir. J. Med. Sci. 2005; 174(3): 28-31.

Affiliation

Dept of Geriatric Medicine, Galway Regional Hospitals, Galway.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, General Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16285335

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patient falls are a common complication of hospitalisation. Use of restraints in patients who are perceived to be at risk for falling may lead to injury and even death. AIMS: To determine the frequency of falls and fall-related injuries and the contribution of restraints in a hospital population. METHODS: We analysed incident reports of falls for a single year from a large teaching hospital. Results The fall rate per 10,000 patient days was 13.2 (95%CI 11.6-14.8). Fall rate increased dramatically with increased age. Eighty-two (30.7%) falls resulted in injury, of which 6 (7.3%) were serious. Injuries occurred in 71/247 (29%) unrestrained falls and in 11/20 (55%) falls in patients who were restrained. Injuries were more severe in falls with restraints in place (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Restraint use is associated with increased severity of injury in hospital patients who fall.