title: Improving staff reports of falls in assisted living.
abstract: This study examined falls data reported by staff to (a) describe characteristics of falls in this population and (b) analyze the quality and utility of the data available from incident reports (IRs) to improve fall prevention. Data from 34 incident reports were analyzed. Descriptive and frequency analyses were conducted to describe fall characteristics, use of assistive devices, high-risk medication use, and prevalence of omitted data on IRs. Thirty-four falls occurred among 15 residents (age, M = 84 years). More than half resulted in injury. Significant omissions of data were noted in the IRs, which may have limited full analysis of fall events and the ability to communicate about health outcomes of these events and the prevention of subsequent falls. This study provides data about falls in assisted living and recommendations for enhanced data collection to support the monitoring of falls risk and the prevention of future falls.
authors: University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, USA.
authors: Amy L
authors: AL
authors: Silva-Smith
authors: Mary Ann
authors: MA
authors: Kluge
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: LeCompte
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Snook
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: assisted living; fall prevention; falls; older adults; staff reporting