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Citation
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Lerdal A, Sigurdsen LW, Hammerstad H, Granheim TI, Risk Study Research Group, Gay CL. J. Clin. Nurs. 2018; 27(9-10): 1826-1835. |
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Affiliation
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University of California, Family and Health Care NursingSan Francisco, Department of, San Francisco, USA. |
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Abstract
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AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To describe associations between patient fall risk and common symptoms among hospitalized inpatients.
BACKGROUND: Predictors of falls have been identified in a variety of populations and settings, but the role of inpatients' symptom experience has not been adequately evaluated.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional.
METHODS: Participants included 614 medical and elective surgical patients in an acute hospital in Norway. Patient falls during hospitalization were assessed by self-report and incident reports. Pain intensity and the occurrence and distress of 15 other symptoms were assessed by self-report.
RESULTS: Patient falls were associated with male sex and having more comorbidities. Medical patients were more likely to fall than elective surgical patients. In logistic regression analyses, higher symptom counts were associated with increased risk of fall, with each additional symptom conferring a 15% increase in fall risk. Symptom distress related to concentration difficulties, lack of energy, sleep problems, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea was associated with increased risk of fall, even after adjusting for the influence of age, sex, and comorbidities (odds ratios ranged 2.3-4.8). Severe pain, as well as symptom distress related to drowsiness, itching, dizziness, or swelling of arms/legs, were also associated with patient falls, although these associations were attenuated after accounting for age, sex, and comorbidities. Overall, symptom distress was more strongly associated with fall risk than symptom occurrence.
CONCLUSIONS: Symptom burden and distress may help identify hospital patients at risk for fall. Additional research is needed to determine whether symptoms are useful for assessing fall risk among hospital patients and other high-risk populations. If symptoms are useful indicators of fall risk, they should be considered for inclusion in standardized risk assessments. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Language: en |