Wheelchair-related falls: current evidence and directions for improved quality care.
While much of the research on falls has focused on the ambulatory elderly, little is known about wheelchair-related falls that occur in persons with disabilities. A thorough understanding of wheelchair-related falls would include the demographics, the mechanism and nature of the fall event, and the nature of any resultant injury, including the cost of treatment and long-term sequelae. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the current data on wheelchair-related falls and to make recommendations for avenues for improved quality of care and future research to promote patient safety.
Gavin-Dreschnack
Deborah
D
James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Patient Safety Center, 11605 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. deborah.gavin-dreschnack@med.va.gov
Nelson
Audrey
A
Fitzgerald
Shirley
S
Harrow
Jeffrey
J
Sanchez-Anguiano
Aurora
A
Ahmed
Shabbaz
S
Powell-Cope
Gail
G
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004779:Environment Design; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D011482:Protective Devices; D012307:Risk Factors; D012308:Risk Management / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014910:Wheelchairs