Health Policy Manag.  2019 Jun;29(2):172-183. 10.4332/KJHPA.2019.29.2.172.

Incidence Rate and Characteristics of Falls in Patients Using Comprehensive Nursing Care Service

• Son J
• Park BK
• Lee CH
• Ahn KH
• Kim JN
• Park MH
• Choi EY
• Boo EH
• Kang MJ
• Hong JH

• KMID: 2453169
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2019.29.2.172

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Falls are the most frequent adverse events reported in hospitals. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence rate and characteristics of falls in patients who used comprehensive nursing care service in National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital.
METHODS
Incidence rate of falls was investigated in patients using comprehensive nursing care service, from July 2013 to Jun 2017 and compared with those not using this service. The characteristics and risk factors for falls, and fall-related injuries were obtained.
RESULTS
Among the 62,445 patients who used the comprehensive nursing care service for 4 years, total of 672 falls were reported. The incidence rate of falls per 1,000 patients-day was 1.15. The percentage of fall-related injuries was 26.9% and that of major injury was 2.2%. Although the incidence rate of all falls was slightly higher in patients using comprehensive nursing care service than those not using this service, falls-related injuries were not correlated with the implementation of this service.
CONCLUSION
The falls could be more frequently detected and reported in comprehensive nursing care service, but there was no difference in fall-related injuries.

Keyword

Accidental falls; Fall-related injuries; Comprehensive nursing care service

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls*
Humans
Incidence*
National Health Programs
Nursing Care*
Nursing*
Risk Factors