title: [Falls of paediatric in- and out-patients in hospital: an Italian survey].
abstract: Falls can be considered as the most relevant accident for frequency and severity among in-hospital paediatric accidents (0-18 years). There is still a lack of a common framework in defining and categorizing paediatric falls across European and Italian paediatric centres. The aim of this survey was to explore key aspects of paediatric in-hospital falls in a number of Italian paediatric facilities. In 2010, a questionnaire was sent to 15 paediatric centres selected through convenience sampling. Fourteen questionnaires (93.3%) were returned, six centres (42.9%) define clearly the term "fall", while 8 (57.1%) declare to track falls frequency; three (21.4%) trace the consequences of falls. Four centres (28.6%) track the impact of falls on care plans. Usually information on falls and on children are collected (10 centres, 71.4%) and reporting procedures are frequently in place (10, 71.4%); whereas, fall management procedures (5 centres, 35.7%) are rarely in place. Five centres (35.7%) use a paediatric fall risk assessment tool (devised by the centre itself, and not validated); none of the implemented prevention measures for high-risk patients evaluate effectiveness. Data show a lack or no consistency of paediatric fall-related practices in Italian paediatric facilities, this phenomenon its impact on care plans and healthcare costs is therefore difficult to evaluate, as well as making a comparison between facilities. Collaboration among major paediatric centres should be encouraged in order to establish a common framework and share approaches.
authors.affiliation: Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Genova/IRCCS G. Gaslini, Genova. robertadarindellamora@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Da Rin Della Mora
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagnasco
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sasso
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D006760:Hospitalization; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy