title: Cost analysis of a falls-prevention program in an orthopaedic setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Falls by orthopaedic patients may lead to negative outcomes such as injury, prolonged hospitalization, delayed rehabilitation, and increased costs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined the impact of a multidisciplinary Falls-prevention Program (FPP) on the incidence of inpatient falls and fall-related injuries in an orthopaedic hospital during a 6-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient data and fall incident report data were reviewed to identify risk factors associated with falls and fall-related injuries. A cost analysis was performed to calculate costs incurred as a result of falls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 415 falls occurred during a 5-year period preintervention. The fall rate preintervention was significantly higher than the fall rate postintervention (3.49 versus 2.68 per 1000 bed days). Eighty-five falls occurred in the 12 months preintervention. A total of 15.29% (13 of 85) of falls resulted in minor injuries, and 9.42% (eight of 85) resulted in major injuries. The total cost incurred during this period as a result of falls was $117,754.12. Of this, 95.5% resulted from patients who sustained a hip fracture (n = 4). The total cost of implementing the FPP was $15,694.46. In the 12 months postintervention, 52 falls occurred. Twenty-five percent (13 of 52) of falls resulted in minor injuries, and 5.76% (two of 52) resulted in major injuries (no hip fractures). The total costs accrued during this period as a result of falls was $811.70.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After implementation of a FPP, there were significant decreases in fall incidence, fall-related morbidity, and consequent costs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level III, economic and decision analyses. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, St Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranabraher, Cork, Ireland. johng442@hotmail.com
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Galbraith
authors.forename: Joseph S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Adeel R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Memon
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Harty
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050281:Bones of Lower Extremity / Q000293:injuries; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors