Neurologic antecedents to patient falls.
Neurological illness often impairs a patient's mental status, sensory /perceptual and motor functions, creating significant disability. These deficits have been identified as factors that increase the fall risk in these patients. A review of the literature reveals three common manifestations of neurologic disease are related to inpatient falls. These antecedents are altered mental status, sensory/perceptual alteration and impaired physical mobility. These antecedents are found to influence a patient's risk to fall to some extent; however, further research is recommended to further quantify the risk.
Benson
C
C
Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655, USA.
Lusardi
P
P
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology