Characteristics of falls in inpatient psychiatric units.
OBJECTIVE
Falls in inpatient psychiatric units are more frequent than in other age-matched unit types. We set out to explore factors associated with falls in inpatient units in a large metropolitan mental health service.


METHODS
Contributory factors, location, activity and outcomes were identified for 559 falls. Overall falls rates were also calculated.


RESULTS
Falls rate was 1.25 per 1000 occupied bed days, with highest rates in psychogeriatric units. Almost 50% of falls were related to physiological factors, with balance or mobility difficulties accounting for 19% of all falls. Falls most frequently occurred in bedrooms, outdoor areas, corridors and bathrooms. The most common activity at the time of the fall was walking (41%) and transfers were associated with 17% of falls. Outcomes were evenly spread between no outcome and minor to moderate injury. No severe injuries were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Although falls may have been under-reported, this study establishes an analysis framework and baseline data for the monitoring of falls in inpatient psychiatric units in Australia.
Mental Health Services, Sydney Local Health District, and Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. kran5388@uni.sydney.edu.au
Justin
J
Scanlan
Jessica
J
Wheatley
Susannah
S
McIntosh
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001315:Australia; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors