98 Falls among Hospitalized Patients in Hospital Sungai Buloh

Abstract

Abstract Introduction There is very minimal data documented on inpatient falls and characteristics in Malaysia. In 2017, Falls Incident Report Form (HSB-MED-FORM-017 Pin.1/18) is made mandatory to be filled up in Hospital Sungai Buloh (HSB), following each incident of falls in order to get a better and concrete data on the characteristic of falls. Objectives To capture data on incidence of inpatient falls in HSB in the year 2018. Method This is a prospective, observational study of all in-patient falls in the 783 bedded hospitals in the year 2018. Data were collected, documented and subsequently analyzed via SPSS Ver 23. Result The falls rate is 0.89 per 1000 bed days. There are a total of 123 fallers (including Paediatrics). 37/113 (33%) were above 65 years old, and 82 were males. 43 (38%) fell on night shift. 84 (74%) fell in the 4 bedded area. 60% of the fallers were in the high risk group of Morse fall score (MFS), of which 49/71(69%) fell at bedside (p<0.007). 25/64 (39%) with high MFS fell despite bed railing was up (p<0.05). There was no association between age group and location of falls. 32/33 (97%) of those attempting to get out of bed, also fell at bedside (p<0.001). Majority fallers [31(27.2%)] were on anti-hypertensives. 23.9% were on 2 or more high risk falls drugs. There was no association between medications with age or MFS. 59/113 (52.2%) had no injuries, 18% sustained lacerations. 1 case sustained an intracranial bleed and succumbed. Conclusion Accidental fall is a common problem in adults. In this study, the majority of fallers are in the younger age group. We confirmed a higher incidence of falls in those classified in the high risk category. These possibly explains the correct usage of MFS in all admissions, hence an effective falls prevention and education programme.