Citation

AlSowailmi BA, AlAkeely MH, AlJutaily HI, Alhasoon MA, Omair A, AlKhalaf HA. Ann. Saudi Med. 2018; 38(3): 225-229.

Affiliation

Dr. Banan Abdullah AlSowailmi College of Medicine,, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences,, PO Box 28602, Riyadh 11447,, Saudi Arabia, T: +966566180045, banan.alsowail-mi@gmail.com, ORCID: http://or.cid.org/0000-0002-9821-2030.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre)

DOI

10.5144/0256.4947.2018.225

PMID

29848941

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fall injuries among children during hospital stay is a major patient safety issue. Inpatient pediatric falls can lead to numerous negative consequences. In contrast to adults, there is a paucity of information on the prevalence and risk factors associated with children's falls during hospitalization.

OBJECTIVES: Identify the prevalence of fall injuries among hospital.ized children and describe the demographic and environmental factors that could predict a higher risk of severe outcomes of fall.

DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional prevalence study. SETTING: Specialized children's hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data was obtained through the electronic Safety Reporting System (SRS). All reported fall events during hospitalization in children less than or equal 14 years of age for the period from 1 April 2015 to 30 April 2016 were included. Fall events that occurred in the day care unit and the outpatient clinic were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence and possible risk factors for fall events. SAMPLE SIZE: 48.

RESULTS: The prevalence of falls among the 4860 admitted children was 9.9 (95% CI=7.5, 13.1) per 1000 patients (48/4860). A majority of the falls were among boys (n=26, 54%), in the age group from 1-5 years old (n=22, 46%), in children at high risk of falling (n=35, 73%), with normal mobility status (n=21, 44%), and with no history of previ.ous falls (n=33, 69%). Severe injuries accounted for 25% of falls (n=12). However, falls among the moderate risk category (n=9, 69%) were more often severe than falls among the high risk category of children (n=12, 34%) (P=.03).

CONCLUSION: Risk factor identification is required to prevent falls and their severe outcomes. LIMITATIONS: Underreporting and single-centered study. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Language: en