[Reduction of the number of falls in hospitalized patients using a risk index and through preventive measures].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of early identification of hospitalised patients with an increased risk of falling and of preventive measures on the frequency of falling.


METHODS
Ten medical units (two neurology, five internal medicine, three surgery; 276 beds) in the St. Radboud Hospital in Nijmegen.


METHODS
In a first case control study (5 months), a slightly modified falling risk index of Innes and Turman was validated. In a following (5.5 months) study period the index was computed for every hospitalised patient. Preventive measures were used in patients with a high score. The numbers of falls in both study periods were compared. All falls were carefully documented.


RESULTS
High scores on the index were significantly associated with falls (p < 0.001). In both study periods (1 and 2) sensitivity (87% and 89%) and specificity (82% and 74%) of the index were high. A significant reduction in fall rate, 86 falls in period 1 versus 66 in period 2, was achieved, (corrected for number of patients and patient days).


CONCLUSIONS
The modified index is a useful instrument for early identification of patients with a substantial risk of falling in the hospital. Early risk identification and preventive measures were successful in reducing the number of falls.
Kuipers
H M
HM
Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Geriatrie, Nijmegen.
Hoefnagels
W H
WH
van Lier
H J
HJ
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors