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Accidents on hospital wards

S Levene1, G Bonfield

  • 1Child Accident Prevention Trust, London.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|September 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Most non-iatrogenic accidents in children under 16 involved boys and toddlers, often due to falls. These hospital accidents were rarely serious, but highlight areas for preventative safety improvements.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Safety
  • Hospital-Acquired Conditions
  • Accident Prevention

Background:

  • Non-iatrogenic accidents pose risks to pediatric patients and visitors in hospital settings.
  • Understanding accident patterns is crucial for developing effective safety interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the incidence and characteristics of non-iatrogenic accidents in children under 16 years old.
  • To identify common accident types, demographics, and circumstances to inform preventative strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective data collection from eight hospitals over an 18-month period.
  • Analysis of 781 reported non-iatrogenic accidents involving patients and visitors under 16.

Main Results:

  • Accidents were more frequent in boys and children aged 3-5 years.
  • Common incidents included falls, slips, and striking accidents; 41% of inpatient accidents occurred with parents present.
  • Only three accidents were serious, with 27% involving beds/cots.

Conclusions:

  • Routine data collection can aid accident prevention efforts in hospitals.
  • Falls from beds/cots and use of makeshift equipment are key areas for safety improvements.

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