title: The risk factors for impulsivity-related falls among hospitalized older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Falls among older adults are a common, preventable problem associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Impulsivity is a known risk factor for older adult falls; however, there is a gap in evidence demonstrating the unique risk factors associated with impulsivity related falls (IRF). The research explored the association between seven fall risk factors and impulsivity related falls in hospitalized older adults in a community hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective descriptive study analyzed the association between seven fall risk factors and IRF in hospitalized older adults.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample (N = 233) included patients age 65 years and older who had a documented in-patient fall in 2008. Of the falls, 29.7% were classified as IRF. The mean age of patients with IRF was 78 years, with the median day of fall being Day 5 of hospitalization/rehabilitation admission. Logistic regression demonstrated that only inattention and cognitive impairment were significant risk factors for IRF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of IRF was 29.7%. Our findings also indicate that cognitive impairment and inattention are strongest predictors for IRF among usual risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early identification of the unique risk factors associated with IRF could improve identification and reduce fall rates among hospitalized older adults.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. maferrar@umich.edu
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Doresea
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing; D012307:Risk Factors