Citation

Rose G, Decalf V, Everaert K, Bower WF. Australas. J. Ageing 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Australian Council on the Ageing, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/ajag.12696

PMID

31321899

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of toileting-related falls in hospitalised older people.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis of falls related to night-time toileting in patients 60 years or over in a tertiary hospital during a one-year period.

RESULTS: Overall 34% of falls were related to toileting with at least 44% of these falls occurring during the night. Toilet-related falls peaked between 11 pm and 1 am, a period that coincides with maximum supine-induced diuresis. Almost half of night falls occurred at the bedside. In 80% of night toileting-related falls, patients were mobilising without the recommended level of assistance. Half of all patients had no strategies for toileting documented in their care plan.

CONCLUSION: Findings support screening for nocturia in older inpatients and implementation of strategies to reduce both the need for toileting at night and risk factors for falling.

© 2019 AJA Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

falls; health services for the aged; hospitals; nocturia; toileting