Do orthopaedic and neurosciences inpatients who are at risk of falls have best practice fall prevention strategies implemented during their acute inpatient hospitalization?

Abstract

To determine whether inpatients identified as being at high risk for falls received fall prevention interventions as recommended in the Best Practice Guidelines for Australian Hospitals. This cross-sectional study examined medical record data from a convenience sample of inpatients admitted to orthopaedic and neurosciences wards (N=100). Data were compared to the fall prevention recommendations. Percentages were used to describe compliance and independent samples t-tests to assess difference in adherence. Data revealed that 45% and 62% of recommendations were implemented amongst inpatients on orthopaedic and neurosciences ward, respectively (P<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between orthopaedic inpatients at higher risk of falls and those with a greater length of stay [r(39)=.46, P=0.003]. When analysed together, patients who were admitted following a fall had a lower percentage of fall prevention strategies implemented (P<0.001). Implementation of fall prevention strategies is essential to target in the inpatient setting.