title: Major Predictors of Inpatient Falls: A Multisite Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to identify key factors predictive of falls in hospitals.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Patient falls remain a major concern for hospitals. Falls can increase patient morbidity/mortality and increase legal risk/cost for institutions. While a number of high-risk falls assessments are available, key predictors of falls have not been identified.
  
  
  METHODS
  A secondary data analysis was performed on 281,865 high-risk falls assessments collected in a multisite study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the total sample, logistic regression analyses demonstrated that 3 factors, falls within the past 6 months (OR=2.98), confusion (odds ratio, 2.05), taking a laxative (odds ratio, 1.54), are strong predictors of falling. Similar results were found for individual hospitals, different units within hospitals, and urban versus rural hospital locations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that assessments of fall risk should heavily weigh the 3 predictors identified in this study. Another approach would be to intervene based on these predictors.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Licensed Psychologist and Evidence-Based Practice Consultant (Dr Moe), Evidence-Based Practice Coordinator (Dr Brockopp), Nursing Director (Ms McCowan), Magnet®/Nursing Special Projects Coordinator (Ms Merritt), Patient Care Technician (Ms Hall), Baptist Health Lexington, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Krista
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moe
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brockopp
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCowan
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Merritt
authors.forename: Brittany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003221:Confusion / Q000150:complications*; D006780:Hospitals, Rural / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054368:Laxatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016015:Logistic Models; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives