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Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
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Inpatient falls after shoulder arthroplasty
Mariano E Menendez1, David Ring2, Andrew Jawa3
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New England Baptist Hospital, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA.
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
|August 15, 2016
Summary
In-hospital falls after shoulder arthroplasty are increasing, particularly among older, lower-income, and Hispanic patients. Many risk factors for these patient falls are modifiable with better care coordination and medical management.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery patient safety
- Inpatient fall prevention strategies
- Healthcare quality improvement
Background:
- Patient falls are a common cause of harm in hospitals, especially after surgery.
- Limited data exist on falls in elective orthopedic inpatients, particularly after shoulder arthroplasty.
- Understanding fall trends and risk factors is crucial for improving patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate inpatient fall trends after elective shoulder arthroplasty.
- To identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with falls in this population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Nationwide Inpatient Sample discharge records from 2002-2011.
- Assessment of temporal trends in fall rates.
- Multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with falls.
Main Results:
- In-hospital fall rates increased from 0% to 1.7% between 2002 and 2011.
- Older age, Hispanic ethnicity, and lower income were associated with increased fall risk.
- Comorbidities like fluid/electrolyte disorders, opioid use, and malnutrition were significant risk factors.
Conclusions:
- In-hospital fall rates after shoulder arthroplasty are rising despite reduced hospital stays.
- Identified risk factors are often modifiable through improved preoperative planning, medical management, and patient engagement.
- Targeted interventions can mitigate fall risk in this patient population.
