title: Bias reduction in calculation of inpatient fall rates.
abstract: Inpatient falls are the most common adverse hospital events. Despite the recognized importance of reducing inpatient falls, tracking and reporting methods are inconsistent. Moreover, recommended methods and statistical tests for comparing rates are complicated. This article demonstrates how to calculate fall rates using 3 common methods, summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of each method, and recommends best practices.
authors.affiliation: Former, Department of Academic Affairs (Dr Weiserbs) and Emergency Medicine (Dr Hahn), Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York. Dr Weiserbs is now a freelance consultant.
authors.forename: Kera F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Weiserbs
authors.forename: Barry J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Hahn
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012307:Risk Factors