Epidemiologic pattern of falls among inpatients in Ain Shams University Hospitals in Cairo, Egypt

Patient falls and injuries during hospitalization is a good quality indicator of safety of inpatients. Data on inpatients falls are deficient in Egyptian hospitals. Ain Shams university hospitals do not have any recording system for falls.

This study aimed at estimating the incidence density of falls and describing pattern and risk factors contributing to falls in Ain shams university hospitals.

A prospective follow up study was conducted on inpatients admitted to Ain Shams university hospitals. Patients were followed up for a maximum of two weeks for the occurrence of fall. An interview questionnaire addressed to in-patients was designed to investigate the incident of fall. Type of fall, provisional cause, consequences, night or day timing of fall, walking condition in hospital and past history of fall were among the factors investigated in the incident of fall. Questionnaire assessing the basic and instrumental daily activities for the elderly (>60 years) was completed.

1779 patients were included in the study in eight different wards with a mean age of 41.8 years. The incidence density of falls was 9 per 1000 patient days. Logistic regression analysis identified male gender, walking difficulties in-hospital and history offalls before hospitalization as independent risk factors for falls among below 60 years patients.

Incidence of falls is relatively high among the studied university hospitals. Identified risk factors differed among adults compared to elderly.

Measuring, monitoring and assessing fall rates are strongly recommended using a valid and reliable tool to improve quality of health services.