[Frequency of falls in german hospitals].
OBJECTIVE
So far, there are no statistics on falls by patients in German hospitals. This study records data on the frequency and results of inpatient falls and compares patients who suffered from falls, with the other patients.


METHODS
In a prevalence study, we collected data from 3012 patients in 11 hospitals in Berlin and surrounding areas.


RESULTS
3.5 % of all patients fell during their clinical stay. 13 % of the patients who fell suffered a fracture or a joint injury, 20 % another injury while 67 % had no any injuries. The patients who fell were older and more care-dependent than the other patients. Most of the patients fell on geriatric wards.


CONCLUSIONS
Older patients fall more frequently than other patients while in hospital.
Heinze
C
C
Institut für Medizin-/Pflegepädagogik und Pflegewissenschaft, Germany. cornelia.heinze@charite.de
Lahmann
N
N
Dassen
T
T
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015984:Causality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012308:Risk Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control