Incidence and Associated Risk Factors for Falls in Adults Following Critical Illness: An Observational Study

To explore the incidence of falls and associated risk factors in the first year after hospital discharge in survivors of critical illness.

Prospective single-site observational study.

University-affiliated mixed ICU.

One hundred ICU adults who required invasive ventilation for 48 hours and in an ICU for at least 4 days.

Not applicable.

Falls were monitored prospectively for 1 year with completion of monthly falls calendars. Falls data included the number of people who had falls/no falls/recurrent falls, falls rate per person per year, and time to first fall. Fall severity was classified according to the Schwenck classification scheme to examine injurious falls requiring medical intervention. Other outcomes considered included assessments of balance, strength, function, cognition, psychologic health, and health-related quality of life. One hundred participants (31% female) were recruited with a mean age of 58.3 ± 16.2 years, and a median ventilation duration of 6.3 days [4.0-9.1]. Sixty-one percent fell at least once in the first year with the majority sustaining two or more falls (81.4%) and one in four sustained an injurious fall requiring medical attention. The falls incidence rate was 4.4 falls per person-year (95% CI, 3.2-5.9), with the highest incidence occurring less than 3 months after hospital discharge (5.9 falls/person-year [95% CI, 4.4-7.8]). Time to first fall or injurious fall was 36 [11-66] and 95 (95% CI, 40-155) days, respectively. Key risk factors for falls at the time of hospital discharge include comorbidities, higher discharge medications, balance, and muscle strength.

There was a high falls incidence in ICU survivors. The study findings suggest a critical window may exist within the first 3 months after hospital discharge and the need for screening, pharmacological optimization, and exercise training in this patient group.