Incidence and Risk Factors for Subsequent Adverse Events among Outpatients after an In-Hospital Fall

Information is limited on the incidence and risk factors for further serious conditions after an in-hospital fall. Using data from the incident-accident reports, we assessed the incidence and risk factors for subsequent adverse events (SAEs) among outpatients after in-hospital falls.

Incident-accident reports from April 2017 to March 2024 at Nippon Medical School Tama Nagayama Hospital were reviewed to identify outpatient falls. Data on patient characteristics and fall-related details were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for SAEs.

We analyzed data from 118 outpatients with in-hospital falls (mean age: 76.4±11.7 years; male: 56.8%): 39 (33.1%) experienced SAEs, including 5 fractures (4.2%), 13 functional disorders (11.0%), 17 surgical procedures (14.4%), and 17 admissions (14.4%). Multivariable analysis showed that males had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for SAEs than females, even after adjusting for age (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.21-6.48; P=0.016). For each SAE, the floor of the fall, number of previous falls, and site of the fall were significantly associated with a subsequent fracture, functional disorder, and surgical procedure after an in-hospital fall, respectively.

The incidence rate of SAEs among outpatients with in-hospital falls was 33.1%. Male sex was the only significant risk factor for SAEs, and factors contributing to individual SAE types were distinct. To prevent further adverse outcomes after in-hospital falls, medical staff should pay more attention to patients with these risk factors.