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Citation
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Venema DM, Hester A, Clapper K, Kennel V, Quigley P, Reames C, Skinner A. J. Nurs. Care Qual. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Many hospital quality indicators, including falls, worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 may be at risk for falling due to the disease itself, patient characteristics, or aspects of care delivery.
PURPOSE: To describe and explore falls in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
METHODS: We pooled data from 107 hospitalized adult patients who fell between March 2020 and April 2021. Patients who fell had a current, pending, or recent diagnosis of COVID-19. We analyzed patient characteristics, fall circumstances, and patient and organizational contributing factors using frequencies, the chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test.
RESULTS: Patient contributing factors included patients' lack of safety awareness, impaired physical function, and respiratory concerns. Organizational contributing factors related to staff and the isolation environment.
CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for managing fall risk in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 include frequent reassessment of risk, consideration of respiratory function as a risk factor, ongoing patient education, assisted mobility, and adequate staff training.
Language: en |