Factors Influencing Falls in High- and Low-Risk Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Korea

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics and predictors of falls in high- and low-risk inpatients in a tertiary hospital in Korea. Methods Fallers' data were extracted from quality improvement reports and electronic health records from June 1, 2014, to May 31, 2015. Data on nonfallers matched by the length of hospitalization and medical departments of fallers were extracted from electronic health records. Participants were classified into a high- or a low-risk group based on their Morse Fall Scale score, fall risk-related symptoms, and medications known to increase fall risk. Characteristics of falls and risk factors were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis, respectively. Results In the high-risk group, education, surgery, department, impaired mobility, intravenous catheter placement, use of ambulatory aid, gait disturbance, and some medications were significantly different between the fallers and nonfallers. From these variables, education, operation, department, intravenous catheter placement, gait disturbance, and use of narcotics, vasodilators, antiarrhythmics, and hypnotics were statistically significant factors for falls. In the low-risk group, sex, age, length of hospitalization, surgery, department, diagnosis, and mental status were significantly different between the fallers and nonfallers. From these, sex, age, length of hospitalization, surgery, and liver-digestive diseases were statistically significant factors for falls. Conclusions Characteristics and risk factors for falls differed between the risk groups. Fall prevention strategies need to be tailored to the risk groups and fall risk assessment tools need to be revised accordingly.