Characteristics of falls with damage to hospitalized patients

Retrospective and longitudinal study of 260 records of falls with damage of adult patients in clinical and surgical units of a general hospital, from September 2012 to June 2017. Data were collected in May 2018 from the electronic fall and electronic record research instrument, and the statistical analysis was described.

RESULTS

There were 260 falls with damage, mostly in the elderly (78%), female (55%), in clinical treatment (68%) and unaccompanied (59.4%). The falls occurred at the same height (63.4%) and in the patient's room (67.3%). The severity of the damage was mild in 80.8% of cases, severe in 11.9% and moderate in 7.3%.

CONCLUSION

Improving understanding of falls and their consequences can assist professionals in identifying and assessing risks and in establishing preventive measures.

Keywords:
Accidental falls; Inpatients; Patient safety; Patient harm

Falls with damage	N	%
Type of fall
Own height	165	63.4
Bed	59	22.6
Chair/armchair	26	10.2
Toilet	10	3.8
Fall location
Bedroom	175	67.3
Bathroom	81	31.2
Circulation/corridor area	4	1.5

Degree/Type of damage	N	%
Mild	210	80.8
Excoriation	210	100
*Moderate^ * Patients presented more than one type of lesion**	19	7.3
Cut blunt injury	16	84.2
Light CET	9	47.3
Dehiscence suture	1	5.2
Large laceration	1	5.2
Severe	31	11.9
Fractures	12	38.7
Fist	3	9.6
Femur	2	3.2
Nasal	3	6.45
Tibia	1	3.2
Malleolus	2	6.45
Ribs	1	3.2
Loss of consciousness and/or mental state change	10	32.2
Others^a a CET (Cranioencephalic trauma); SAH/SDH (Subarachnoid hematoma/Subdural hematoma); Stroke	9	29.0

Main conducts after occurrence of damage	N	%
Moderate damage ^* * Patients received more than one type of conduct (n=19)
Suture	13	68.4
Dressing	17	89.5
Image exams	8	15.7
Severe Damage ^* * Patients received more than one type of conduct (n=31)
Transfer to ICU	4	12.9
Surgical treatment/fracture correction	4	12.9
Conservative treatment/fracture correction	8	25.8
Image exams	26	32.2

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[1] Corresponding author:
Cassiana Gil Prates. Av. Ipiranga, 1801.Cep: 90160-092. Porto Alegre/RS. cassiprates@gmail.com