Lower Incidence of In-Hospital Falls in Patients Hospitalized in Window Beds Than Nonwindow Beds

Abstract

ObjectivesComparing the incidence rate of in-hospital falls between patients hospitalized in window beds and nonwindow beds. DesignRetrospective cohort study. SettingA general hospital in Mie, Japan. ParticipantsA total of 2767 patients (mean age, 68.4 years) hospitalized in four-bedded rooms between January 2014 and December 2016. MeasuresWe identified patients' bed status (window/nonwindow) and the incidence of in-hospital falls using data on medical records and incidence reports, respectively. ResultsDuring an observation period of 25,450 person-days, 57 patients had in-hospital falls (incidence rate, 2.24/1000 person-days). Incidence rate for in-hospital falls was significantly lower in the window-bed group (n = 1273) than in the nonwindow-bed group (n = 1494) [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29, 0.84]. In the multivariable analysis adjusted for age, gender, BMI, smoking and drinking habit, surgical operation during hospitalization, and independence in daily living, the window-bed group exhibited significantly lower incidence rate for in-hospital falls than the nonwindow-bed group (IRR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32, 0.93). Sensitivity analysis excluding patients aged <60 years suggested a consistent result: incidence rate for in-hospital falls was significantly lower in the window-bed group (n = 1123) than in the nonwindow-bed group (n = 925) (IRR 0.55, 95% CI 0.31, 0.95). Conclusions and implicationsThe incidence rate of in-hospital falls was significantly lower among patients hospitalized in window beds than nonwindow beds. Hospitalization in window beds might be a novel, simple preventive option for in-hospital falls. Further large-scale, prospective, multicenter research is required.