Reviewing Patient's Falls Following Implementation of the Fall Prevention Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to investigate patient falls occurred after a fall prevention program implemented in a university hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted to investigate patient falls that occurred in a foundation (private) university hospital located in Ankara. The sample consisted of patients (n: 103) who fell from a height in a foundation university hospital in Turkey. The Fall Prevention program has been revised over time. Itaki Fall Risk Scale, Enviromental Risk Assesment Form, Falling Patient Monitoring Form, Incident Report Form, Data Collection Form were used. RESULTS: While the rate of patient falls decreased from 0.16% to 0.12%, fall risk of the patients increased from 25.3% to 67.6%. The 63.1% of the patient falls were caused by intrinsic factors. Patients' age, risky medication(s), balance problem, confusion, fatigue, dizziness and failure to ask for help during mobilization were found as the determinants of the fall risk. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In the study, fall prevention programs can be improved considering all risk factors. Considering the results of this study; making adjustments for improving functional strength and balance, providing adequate information on fall prevention measures and closer monitoring can be suggested. With the help of health team, the program can further focus on the exercises, contributing to the reduction of falls by strengthening the patients in this way.

Keywords

• falls
• nursing
• patient safety
• prevention and control
• risk factors