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Abstract

Objective:

Falls in inpatient psychiatric units are more frequent than in other age-matched unit types. We set out to explore factors associated with falls in inpatient units in a large metropolitan mental health service.

Method:

Contributory factors, location, activity and outcomes were identified for 559 falls. Overall falls rates were also calculated.

Results:

Falls rate was 1.25 per 1000 occupied bed days, with highest rates in psychogeriatric units. Almost 50% of falls were related to physiological factors, with balance or mobility difficulties accounting for 19% of all falls. Falls most frequently occurred in bedrooms, outdoor areas, corridors and bathrooms. The most common activity at the time of the fall was walking (41%) and transfers were associated with 17% of falls. Outcomes were evenly spread between no outcome and minor to moderate injury. No severe injuries were reported.

Conclusions:

Although falls may have been under-reported, this study establishes an analysis framework and baseline data for the monitoring of falls in inpatient psychiatric units in Australia.

Keywords

accidental falls injury prevention inpatient psychiatry

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Characteristics of falls in inpatient psychiatric units

Abstract

Objective:

Method:

Results:

Conclusions:

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References