Consequences of Inpatient Falls in Acute Care-A Retrospective Register Study.

AIMS: The objectives of this study were (1) to explore the consequences of falls; (2) to find out time and place of the fall events; and (3) to explore the impact of falls on the length of hospital stays in adults' inpatient acute care. BACKGROUND: In hospitals, falls are the most common accidents that can occur to a patient during hospitalization. Injuries resulting from serious falls can cause lifelong harm to the patient due to loss of well-being and independence. DESIGN: A retrospective, cross-sectional, register study based on the data from electronic patient records was conducted. METHODS: The data included 114,951 inpatients, of which 743 had fallen. Data was collected between January 2014 and December 2016. RESULTS: One-third of falls caused injury. Most injuries were to the head area, and the most common injuries were pain or confusion. The falls usually occurred at the beginning of the treatment in the patient's room or on the way to the toilet. Falls in the hospital increased the length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of falls occur at the beginning of treatment, so it is important to start fall prevention measures as soon as the patient arrives at the hospital.

Time to act! - A cross-sectional study on how nutritional risk increases during hospitalization and associates with worse outcome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nutritional risk is prevalent, and it develops negatively during hospital stay. The aim of this cohort study was to assess the association of nutritional risk with total costs of hospital care, length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with hospitalized patients (n = 3053). Nutritional risk screening 2002 and outcome were investigated. Chi-square, Fisher, and Mann-Whitney tests, univariable and multivariable generalized linear and binary logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: Nutritional risk was detected in 18% (184/1024) of those patients assessed at admission while the number of patients at risk increased 3-fold (47%,152/265) in those screened 14 days after admission (odds ratio 6.25; 95% CI 4.58-8.53, p < 0.001). Nutritionally at-risk patients had 5.6 days longer length of stay (p < 0.001) and 9% higher adjusted total costs compared with non-risk patients (p < 0.001). Adjusted overall risk for in-hospital mortality was 4.4 (95% CI 2.44-7.92, p < 0.001) for patients at nutritional risk. The screening rate was between 52% and 68%, and only 4% of the nutritionally at-risk patients had dietitian consultation during their hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: The number of patients with nutritional risk increased clearly during hospitalization associating with a four times higher in-hospital mortality and substantially increased hospital costs. The results demonstrate that the nutritional risk and its detrimental influence on the outcome increases during hospitalization emphasizing the importance to screen patients at admission and repeated weekly.

Nursing interventions in preventing pressure injuries in acute inpatient care: a cross-sectional national study.

BACKGROUND: Several nursing interventions for pressure injury prevention have been identified, including risk and skin status assessment. The aim of this study was to explore prevention of pressure injuries in Finnish acute inpatient care. The data were collected on pressure injury risk and skin status assessments, repositioning, the use of support surfaces, preventive skin care, malnutrition risk assessment, and nutritional care. METHODS: This multicentre, cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 acute care hospitals, excluding psychiatric care. Adult patients from inpatient care were recruited on the annual international Stop Pressure Ulcers Day in 2018 and 2019. Enrolment covered 6,160 participants in 503 units. Descriptive statistics were used to describe pressure injuries, risk assessments, and preventive nursing interventions. Cross tabulation, Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were also used. Reporting follows the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. RESULTS: In all, 30% of the participants had their pressure injury risk assessed during the care, and for 19% within 8 h after admission. The same time limit in risk assessment was fulfilled for 16% of the participants with a pressure injury, and 22% of the participants using a wheelchair or being bedridden. A skin status assessment within 8 h after admission was conducted for 30% of all participants, and for 29% of the participants with a pre-existing pressure injury, and for 38% of the participants using a wheelchair or being bedridden. The risk of malnutrition was screened in 20% of the participants. Preventive interventions were targeted to participants with a pressure injury instead of patients with a high-pressure injury risk. CONCLUSION: This study adds evidence about pressure injury risk assessments and the implementation of preventive nursing interventions in Finnish acute care. Skin status and pressure injury risk assessments were irregularly conducted, and the outcome was not used by nurses to guide the implementation of preventive interventions. The results reveal the gaps in evidence-based nursing practice, which require further efforts to prevent pressure injuries. Improving the national focus on pressure injury prevention practice is critical for improving healthcare for our patients.

The Impact of Leadership in the Autonomy and Engagement of Nurses: A Cross-sectional Multicenter Study Among Nurses Outside the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To add to the body of evidence regarding nurse engagement and related factors from a non-US sample of nurses. BACKGROUND: Leadership has a positive impact on nurses' autonomy and engagement experiences. It is necessary to explore the factors that explain the relationships between leadership, autonomy, and engagement level. METHODS: Nurses (n = 4393) from 9 hospitals participated in a survey in March 2020. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify engagement and autonomy predictors. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 9% were engaged, 28% content, 29% ambivalent, and 34% disengaged. Respondents' separate background variables were not significant predictors in multivariate models, whereas the leadership- and autonomy-related variables were. CONCLUSIONS: A manager's responsiveness, an organization's readiness to follow nurse suggestions for performance improvement, and receiving recognition and regular feedback promote engagement. Furthermore, engagement is enhanced when nurses have an active role in decision-making and their contributions are respected. Visible nurse managers and leaders who are effective advocates for nurses strengthen nurses' autonomy.

Fall rates by specialties and risk factors for falls in acute hospital: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Falls are common adverse events in acute care hospitals, and about 25-50% of fallers suffer injuries. In acute care, fall rates range from 0.4-9 falls per 1000 patient days, varying among unit types, patient characteristics, and diseases. Several risk factors have been identified, including recent falls, age, reduced mobility, cognitive ability and polypharmacy. Several countries have become an aging society in which an increasing number of older patients need acute care. Therefore, the prevention of falls has become one of the most important aspects of patient safety. AIM AND DESIGN: This retrospective study aimed to explore adults' inpatient falls in a Finnish university hospital with several specialties. The objectives were to draw an overall picture of fall rates in Finnish acute care, and to model risk factors for falls including secondary diagnoses. METHODS: The study was conducted in a large university hospital in Finland. The data consisted of patients' electronic health records from 2014-2016 and included a total of 114,951 adult patients. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression model analysis was used to identify risk factors for falls and multiple imputation was used to missing data. The study reporting followed the STROBE guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 841 falls were recorded, totalling 1.5 falls per 1000 patient days, and the rate of falls with injury was 0.4 per 1000 patient days. The regression model included the following risk factors: increasing old age, prolonged hospital stays, specialty of neurology, mode of arrival (emergency care and hospital transfer), no operation during hospital stays and secondary diagnoses such as dementia, pneumonia and alcohol abuse. CONCLUSIONS: In acute care, falls occur most in patients with neurological diagnoses and least in surgical patients. Risk factors for falls include increasing age, emergency arrival, hospital transfer and prolonged hospital stay. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Educational interventions to improve healthcare professionals' competence and preventive interventions to avoid inpatient falls need to be prioritized in medical specialties with high fall rates.

Validation of the Helsinki University Hospital prevent pressure Injury Risk Assessment Tool: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Pressure injures are a common adverse event in a hospital, and they are one of the most important quality indicators of patient care. Risk assessment is recommended as the first step in the prevention of pressure injuries. A Prevent Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Tool is a new tool for risk assessment that was developed by the Helsinki University Hospital. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive validity and the concurrent validity of the Prevent Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Tool in acute care. METHOD: The prospective observational study was conducted in 19 in-patient wards representing internal medicine, neurology, and surgery during 2017-2018. The participants' inclusion criteria were: age ≥18 years old, no pressure injury on admission to the hospital and consenting to participate. The data collected by physical assessment of patients was combined with data from electronic patient records. Each patient was assessed by two different nurses with the Prevent Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Tool and the Braden Scale at patient admission. Furthermore, skin condition was observed throughout the hospital stay. RESULTS: Of the 637 patients accepted for the study, 10 (1.6%) developed a pressure injury during the hospital stay. Poisson regression analysis showed that pressure injuries were more likely in high-risk patients compared to those with low-risk. The sensitivity of the Prevent Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Tool was adequate (75%), while specificity was poor (40%). A moderate correlation was found between the Prevent Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Tool and the Braden Scale. CONCLUSIONS: The Prevent Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Tool may be useful for identifying the adult pressure injury risk patients in acute care. Further research is needed to evaluate interrater reliability, and usability and validity with different patient populations.

Pressure injury prevalence and incidence in acute inpatient care and related risk factors: A cross-sectional national study.

The aim of this national cross-sectional study was to explore the prevalence of pressure injuries and incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries, and the relating factors in somatic-specialised inpatient care in Finland. The study was conducted in 16 (out of 21) Finnish health care organisations offering specialised health care services. Data were collected in 2018 and 2019 from adult patients (N = 5902) in inpatient, emergency follow-up, and rehabilitation units. Pressure injury prevalence (all stages/categories) was 12.7%, and the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries was 10%. Of the participants, 2.6% had at least one pressure injury at admission. The risk of hospital-acquired pressure injuries was increased for medical patients with a higher age, the inability to move independently, mode of arrival, being underweight, and the absence of a skin assessment or pressure injury risk assessment at admission. For surgical patients, the risk was associated with the inability to move independently, mode of arrival, and lack of skin assessment at admission, while being overweight protected the patients. Overall, medical patients were in greater risk of hospital-acquired pressure injuries than the surgical patients. An assessment of the pressure injury risk and skin status should be carried out more systematically in Finnish acute care hospitals.

Incidence and risk factors for pressure injuries in adults in specialised medical care: a prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are one of the most important indicators of quality patient care. It is important to identify high-risk patients to guide the implementation of appropriate prevention strategies. This can be done by using an assessment tool that covers the main risk factors for pressure injuries. AIM: The purpose of the study was to describe the incidence of pressure injuries and the associated risk factors among patients assessed with the Prevent Pressure Injury (PPI) risk assessment tool developed by the Helsinki University Hospital. METHOD: The study was conducted by selecting six wards from medical, surgical and neurological units. The target group were the patients being treated in the study units who gave their informed consent. The research data were retrieved from electronic patient records. RESULTS: From the target group, 332 patients were eligible to participate in the study. The pressure injury risk was found to increase with longer hospital stays and older age. Surgical patients had an increased risk of pressure injuries compared to other specialty fields. A primary diagnosis of musculoskeletal or connective tissue disease, and secondary diagnoses of hypertension and cerebral haemorrhage, were linked with an increased pressure injury risk. A total of nine pressure injuries occurred in nine patients, with an incidence of 2.5% (stages II-IV). CONCLUSION: The observation and recording of pressure injuries in specialised medical care remain insufficient. Longer hospital stays, older age and surgery increase pressure injury risk. Also, patients' primary and secondary diagnoses may increase the pressure injury risk. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Testing of Reliability and Validity of the Peninsula Health Falls Risk Assessment Tool (PHFRAT) in Acute Care: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Peninsula Health Fall Risk Assessment Tool (PHFRAT) in acute care in various medical specialties. The assessment has not been previously studied in acute care. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a large acute care hospital system. The retrospective medical data were used to explore the validity of the PHFRAT. The data consisted of all adult inpatients (≥ 18 age) evaluated by the PHFRAT during 2014-2016 (n = 22,700). The Poisson regression, logistic regression, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the ROC curve were evaluated. The data for the reliability study were collected in 2016 in twelve units by evaluating the patients (n = 359) twice using the PHFRAT. The prospective data were analyzed using Fleiss' Kappa, and the content validity index was also counted. RESULTS: In the somatic data, the change in the risk level from low risk to high risk increases the probability of falls by a factor of 2.8 (p<0.01). When the cut-off point was 9, sensitivity and specificity were 72% and 59%, respectively, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.67 (p<0.01). Validity varied by medical specialties. In the validity analysis, it was not possible to calculate the statistical significance from the psychiatry data. The inter-rater reliability was 0.68 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the PHFRAT proved to be moderately suitable for detecting the risk of falling for adult patients admitted to somatic units in acute care. The reliability of the PHFRAT was moderate. The results indicate the need to study the PHFRAT more broadly in psychiatric care as well as some specialties in somatic care.

Prevalence of malnutrition risk and acute malnutrition in pediatric population in a tertiary hospital and their burden on healthcare.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is related to an increased rate of complications and prolonged hospital stays. Malnutrition risk screening is recommended for all hospital inpatients, but its applicability as part of routine care is not well known. METHODS: The prevalence of malnutrition risk, measured by the Screening Tool for Risk of Impaired Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids), and acute malnutrition were studied 1 day per year in all pediatric inpatient and day wards in 2015 and 2016 and in inpatients and outpatients in 2017 at a university hospital. Nurses carried out the STRONGkids screening and measured the weight and height of each child, recording the information in the hospital database, where it was subsequently extracted along with data on the child's diagnoses, procedures, and the length and costs of hospital stay. RESULTS: In all, 696/1217 patients (57.2%) were screened. Of inpatients and outpatients, 37/398 (9.3%) and 3/298 (1.0%), respectively, were classified as being at high risk of malnutrition. The corresponding figures for those who were acutely malnourished were 18/260 (6.9%) and 11/264 (4.2%). High risk of malnutrition increased the costs and length of hospital stay (P < .05). Dietetic input was involved during hospital stay in 12/37 (32.4%), 32/173 (18.5%), and 13/188 (6.9%) of inpatients at high, moderate, and low risk, respectively (P < .001). Nutrition risk screening did not detect all patients classified as acutely malnourished. CONCLUSION: Hospitals need to ensure proper application of nutrition screening, develop a protocol for the care of children at nutrition risk, and monitor the use of this protocol.