Reducing Falls and Fall-Related Injuries in Acutely and Critically Ill Patients

Falls are a major public health problem around the world, and are the number 1 adverse event in the hospital. From 3% to 20% of inpatients fall at least once, with injury prevalence ranging from 30% to 51%.¹  Of these, 6% to 44% experience similar injuries such as fractures, subdural hematomas, or excessive bleeding that may cause death. Certain to affect morbidity and mortality, injury falls are “never events” that also cut reimbursement. Adjusted to 2010 dollars, a fall without serious injury costs an additional $3500, whereas 2 or more falls without serious injury cost $16500. Falls with serious injury are the costliest, with additional costs of $27000.² 

Interventions to prevent falls and fall-related injuries require multidisciplinary support for program adoption and reliable implementation for specific at-risk and vulnerable subpopulations, such as frail elderly persons and those at risk for injury. The purpose of this clinical evidence review...