The Relationship between Incidence of Patient Falls and Nurses’ Professional Commitment

Abstract

Background & Aim: Patient falling is one of the most important indicator of patient safety. Nurses have an important role in the prevention of patient falls and the improvement of patient safety standards. The current study aimed to determine the relationship between the incidence of patient falls and nurses’ professional commitment. Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study,300 nurses employed in hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, were selected through a proportional stratified sampling method. Data were collected by a three-part questionnaire consisted of the demographic data, the Nurses’ Professional Commitment Scale and the reports on the number of patient falls in the past three months. Data were analyzed on SPSS software using statistical tests including Pearsonchr('39')s correlation coefficient, Kruskal-wallis and independent-t test. Results: The mean score of patient falls in the past 3 months was 6±1.61(moderate) for each nurse and the mean score of nurseschr('39') professional commitment was 86±8.61 (committed).A significant and reverse relationship was observed between the incidence of patient falls and nurses’ professional commitment (R= -0.51; p<0.018).There is no relationship between nurses’ demographic characteristics and patient falls. Conclusion: Despite the lower incidence of falls in the patient under the supervision of the committed nurses, its prevention entails taking into account all factors that influence this phenomenon besides improving professional commitment.

Keywords

• patient safety
• patient fall
• professional commitment
• nurse