NEWBORN FALLS IN ROOMING-IN CARE

Abstract

The objective of the study was to describe occurrences of newborn falls in the hospital environment. A descriptive study was conducted in a maternity of a public, teaching hospital in the city of São Paulo. Information was obtained from records of notification sheets and medical records of newborns who suffered falls in rooming-in care in 2013. Records of four newborn unintentional falls were found, showing an incidence of 11.36 falls per 10,000 live births. Three cases occurred during the night. Consequences for neonates range from no harm to moderate injuries, such as edema, hyperemia in temples and knees, fracture of the parietal bone, and hematoma that evolved in good conditions. Findings on circumstances of falls might help understand these accidents and show the need for implementation of fall prevention strategies that provide multidisciplinary care in a safe environment and promote education of mothers, families, and professionals.

Keywords

• Accidental Falls
• Patient Safety
• Infant; Newborn
• Rooming-in Care
• Obstetric Nursing