Falls in a Rehabilitation Hospital

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The present study was prospectively designed to identify the incidence, risk factors and characteristics of falls in a rehabilitation hospital. METHOD: Two hundred nine consecutive admissions to the department of rehabilitation medicine between March 1, 1998 and June 30, 1998, were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty four (11.5%) experienced at least one fall, and most of the falls occurred in their own room during walking. Risks for falls were associated with the presence of the sensory or cognitive function disturbance, the ability of walking, the use of antihypertensive drug, and presence of caregiver hired by the patient. No injury was observed in 25 (76%) of total 33 incidents, and 8 falls (24%) caused mild injury - pain, and simple contusion. There was no fracture or intracerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that high risk groups of patients who are prone to the falls within the rehabilitation setting can be identified for the prevention, and afterward for preventive measures.