Accidental falls among geriatric patients: can more be prevented?
The potential for accidental falls among geriatric patients is of mounting concern. Two hundred forty-one accidental falls over a 12-month period at the VA Medical Center were analyzed retrospectively and the literature reviewed in order to highlight factors that have bearing on the incidence and severity of falls. If a patient's potential for falling could be identified through a grading system based on these premonitory features, preventive measures might be more clearly focused where needed to reduce this frequent hazard in our hospital population.
D000056:Accident Prevention; D000368:Aged; D000407:Alabama; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control