[Retrospective analysis of falls in an inpatient rehabilitation centre for rheumatic and orthopaedic diseases].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the frequency and circumstances of falls in an inpatient rehabilitation centre.


METHODS
In a survey all falls reported to the Austrian accident insurance carrier were analysed and external circumstances of falls were evaluated. The survey covers a period of 64 months (Jan 2000 to April 2005): 10 820 inpatients (234 502 patient days); mean age 52.8 years; 1,252 patients aged >/= 70 years; 47 % male, 53 % female.


RESULTS
Of 223 accidents registered, 140 (62.8 %) were falls. Of these, 17 patients had to be referred to a surgical unit for further treatment. In total, 1.29 % of all patients fell during their stay (with report to the accident insurance carrier), 0.16 % suffered major injuries from falls (with referral to surgical unit). Females fell more frequently than males. 39 % of the falls were associated with physical therapy. Most falls occurred in daytime. The location in the centre or the day of week showed no major influence on the frequency of falls. Falls occurred slightly more often in the first part of the three-week inpatient stay.


CONCLUSIONS
The high total number of falls shows that falls are important in an inpatient rehabilitation centre for rheumatic and orthopaedic diseases. The analysis did not reveal any special location inside the rehabilitation centre with an increased risk of falls calling for urgent interventions. The active and activating physical therapies do not seem to increase the number of falls significantly.
Falkenbach
A
A
Sonderkrankenanstalt Rehabilitationszentrum Bad Ischl-Lindau der Pensionsversicherungsanstalt, Bad Ischl, Osterreich. Albrecht.falkenbach@pva.sozvers.at
Korinek
W
W
Waltl
S
S
Janka
K
K
Müller
R
R
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015984:Causality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007346:Insurance, Accident / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors