Fall incidence in a state psychiatric hospital in Singapore

The results of a retrospective study of fall incidence during a 1-year period in a psychiatric hospital in Singapore are reported, involving 309 patients who fell one or more times during their stay. The profile of inpatients involved in falls was identified. Data were derived from standard incident forms completed whenever patients had a fall. A total of 348 falls were identified for the 1-year period. Results revealed higher fall rates in younger male epileptic patients; elderly female patients, age 70 and older with depression or dementia; individuals with concomitant medical conditions; and patients taking three types of medication. The majority of falls occurred when the activity level was high in the ward. Young epileptic patients and elderly depressed patients were prone to repeated falls. These results have the potential to assist in identifying patients at high risk and in designing and implementing strategies to prevent such incidents.