Incidence and risk of falls in patients treated for hematologic malignancies in the Intensive Hematology Unit.
Luz Alejandra Lorca, Cinara Sacomori, Valentina Paz Balagué-Ávila and 3 others
PMID 31038638WHAT IT FOUND
Only 2 falls occurred among 101 adults hospitalized for blood cancers over 1.5 years, yet 29.7% were high fall risk at admission and 40.6% mid-stay.
Dizziness at admission was the only assessed factor associated with falls.
Key findings
01Two fall events occurred in 101 patients, an incidence rate of 1.98% over 1.5 years.
02Using the Hendrich II cut-off of 5 or more, high fall risk was 29.7% at admission, 40.6% mid-hospitalization, and 37.6% at discharge.
03Dizziness at admission was the only Hendrich II variable associated with falls; the other variables were not associated.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was done at one hospital, so the authors say the results cannot be generalized. Only 2 fall events were observed, and the authors could not do regression analysis to confirm whether the Hendrich II model was valid for this population. Patients admitted for apheresis were excluded, so the findings do not describe that group.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the 1.98% fall rate as proof that falls are not a problem in this unit. Only two falls occurred, but 29.7% were high risk at admission and 40.6% mid-stay, and the study could not confirm which prevention measures mattered.