@article{ref1,
title="Falls in an acute hospital and their relationship to restraint use",
journal="Irish journal of medical science",
year="2005",
author="Tan, K. M. and Austin, B. and Shaughnassy, M. and Higgins, C. and McDonald, Mike and Mulkerrin, E. C. and O'Keeffe, S. T.",
volume="174",
number="3",
pages="28-31",
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.",
language="",
issn="0021-1265",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}