ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Falls are the most frequent adverse events reported in hospitals. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence rate and characteristics of falls in patients who used comprehensive nursing care service in National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital. METHODS: Incidence rate of falls was investigated in patients using comprehensive nursing care service, from July 2013 to Jun 2017 and compared with those not using this service. The characteristics and risk factors for falls, and fall-related injuries were obtained. RESULTS: Among the 62,445 patients who used the comprehensive nursing care service for 4 years, total of 672 falls were reported. The incidence rate of falls per 1,000 patients-day was 1.15. The percentage of fall-related injuries was 26.9% and that of major injury was 2.2%. Although the incidence rate of all falls was slightly higher in patients using comprehensive nursing care service than those not using this service, falls-related injuries were not correlated with the implementation of this service. CONCLUSION: The falls could be more frequently detected and reported in comprehensive nursing care service, but there was no difference in fall-related injuries.