This research, based on the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators, presents data on over 300,000 falls in hospitals during a two-year period just prior to implementation of the new rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services banning payment for costs associated with patient falls during hospitalization. Comparative patient fall rates are given for medical versus surgical units, for hospitals of different sizes, magnet versus non-magnet, teaching versus non-teaching. Here are some overall findings (quoted from the article abstract):
- 3.56 falls / 1000 patient days (overall)
- 0.93 injurious falls / 1000 patient days (overall)
- Injurious falls represent 26.1 percent of all falls
Why I like this article: Data based on large number of hospitals; authoritative researchers; topical data; numbers numbers numbers!
Source: Bouldin, E.L.D., and others. Falls among adult patients hospitalized in the United States: prevalence and trends. Journal of Patient Safety;9(1):13-17, Mar. 2013. Click here for the publisher’s website: http://journals.lww.com/journalpatientsafety/Abstract/2013/03000/Falls_Among_Adult_Patients_Hospitalized_in_the.3.aspx Posted by AHA Resource Center, (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org
Filed under: Patient safety, Posted by Kim Garber | Tagged: 000, Injurious falls, Patient fall rates, Patient falls, Patient falls per 1 |
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