Comparison of Risk Factors of Falling for Psychiatric Inpatients and General Ward Inpatients Who Had Fallen

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Falls are a significant concern for psychiatric patients, presenting complex challenges.
• Understanding fall risk factors is crucial for preventing patient injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the risk factors associated with falls in psychiatric inpatients versus general ward inpatients.
• To identify specific predictors for falls in each patient group.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 122 psychiatric inpatients who fell, 122 psychiatric inpatients who did not fall, and 122 general ward inpatients who fell.
• Participants were matched for gender, age, and length of hospital stay.
• Multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors.

Main Results:

• Psychiatric inpatients who fell were more likely to experience dizziness (OR=7.11) and unsteady gait (OR=1.97), and less likely to use walking aids (OR=0.42).
• General ward inpatients who fell showed increased risk associated with higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (OR=1.77), being clear-headed (OR=27.15), dizziness (OR=11.55), inability to walk (OR=64.28), and use of aids (OR=3.86).

Conclusions:

• Distinct risk factors contribute to falls in psychiatric and general ward inpatients.
• Healthcare providers need to assess individual patient medications and characteristics to implement targeted fall prevention strategies and health education.