Patient-level and organizational-level factors influencing in-hospital falls.
Jinhyun Kim, Eunhee Lee, Yoomi Jung and 2 others
PMID 35441709WHAT IT FOUND
Older patients and those needing partial help to transfer were more likely to fall in hospital.
More registered nurse hours per patient day was associated with fewer falls, and a higher proportion of newly graduated registered nurses was associated with more falls.
Key findings
01Older patients were more likely to fall during hospitalization than younger patients.
02Patients who were partially dependent for transfers were more likely to fall than patients who were independent for transfers.
03More registered nurse hours per patient day was associated with fewer falls, and a higher proportion of newly graduated registered nurses was associated with more falls.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only integrated care units, which have additional nurse staffing, so the results may not apply to hospital units without that staffing model. The hospital survey had a low response rate, so organizational data may not represent all hospitals. The database did not include previous falls, which are an important fall risk factor. Fall severity was not classified, so the study could not separate minor falls from injurious falls. Many medication groups had very small numbers, so conclusions about medications and falls are limited.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that newly graduated nurses cause more falls. This was an observational study, and the association may reflect other hospital characteristics rather than the nurses themselves.