Identifying Risk Factors for Inpatient Falls in Burn Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Patient Safety
• Burn Care

Background:

• Inpatient falls lead to longer hospital stays, increased complications, and significant economic burden.
• Burn patients have unique mobility challenges increasing their fall risk.
• Risk factors and outcomes of falls in burn units are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of inpatient falls on adult burn patient outcomes.
• To identify predictors of fall risk in burn patients to inform prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of adult burn patients from January 1, 2015, to July 31, 2024.
• Matched 1:2 fallers to non-fallers based on age, sex, total burn surface area (TBSA), and inhalation injury.
• Collected data on demographics, comorbidities, medications, Fall Risk Assessment Score (FRAS), therapy assessments, and safety measures; analyzed using logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Fallers (n=45) were more likely to use antihypertensives and antiarrhythmics and required more assistance with mobility and daily activities.
• The Fall Risk Assessment Score (FRAS) showed moderate predictive value (AUC=0.653).
• Burn surgery requirement (OR=3.35) and FRAS (OR=1.12) were independently associated with increased fall risk (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

• Inpatient falls significantly impact adult burn patient outcomes.
• Functional assessments and proactive, individualized fall prevention are crucial for burn units.
• Identifying high-risk patients through tools like FRAS and considering factors like burn surgery can guide targeted interventions.