Table 2.
Demographics and Characteristics of Inpatients Who Fell
| Patient Characteristic | Inpatients Who Fell (N = 183) n (%) |
|---|---|
| Mean age, y (range) | 63.4 (17 to 96) |
| Gender | |
| Male | 86 (47.0) |
| Female | 97 (53.0) |
| Mental status | |
| Alert and oriented to person, place, and time | 99 (54.1) |
| Confused at times or disoriented | 81 (44.3) |
| Unconscious | 1 (0.5) |
| Unknown | 2 (1.1) |
| Body mass index | |
| Underweight (<18.5) | 11 (6.0) |
| Normal (18.5–24.9) | 66 (63.1) |
| Overweight (25.0–29.9) | 40 (21.9) |
| Obese (≥30.0) | 37 (20.2) |
| Unknown | 29 (15.8) |
| Hospital fall risk assessment at time of fall* | |
| High | 100 (54.6) |
| Low | 78 (42.6) |
| Not documented | 5 (2.7) |
| Muscle weakness† | 148 (80.9) |
| Urinary frequency, urgency, or incontinence | 66 (36.1) |
| Lower extremity problems | 70 (38.3) |
| History of falls in previous 3 months | 41 (22.4) |
| Impaired memory‡ | 58 (31.7) |
| Medications administered within 24 hours prior to fall | 106 (57.9) |
| Central nervous system acting agents§ | 102 (55.7) |
| Vasoactive/blood pressure agents|| | 63 (34.4) |
| Anticoagulants | 53 (29.0) |
| Nonnarcotic analgesics | 19 (10.4) |
| Unknown |
*
“Low” if patient had one or none of the following; “high” if the patient had two or more of the following: history of falls, impaired mobility, confused/disoriented, age over 65, incontinence (bowel or bladder), dizziness/vertigo/postural hypotension, sensory deficit, functional dependence.
†
As documented by patient's medical record or admitted by patient.
‡
As diagnosed by physical therapy, admitted by patient or family member, or assessed by nurse.
§
Includes anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotic agents, benzodiazepines, narcotic analgesics, sedative hypnotics.
||
Includes angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, and vasodilators.