Risk Factors according to Fall Risk Level in General Hospital Inpatients

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the predictors of falls according to the fall risk level in general hospital inpatients.Methods: Data were extracted from electronic medical records from January 2017 to December 2019. This study included 170 fallers and 340 non-fallers, who were matched for gender, age, clinical department, and length of stay before falls among inpatients aged 18 years and over. The collected data were analyzed with the x2 test, Fisher exact test, independent t-test, and logistic regression analysis using SPSS for Windows version 24.0.Results: In the low-risk group, defecation disorder (odds ratio [OR]=12.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.16~134.33, p=.037) and laxative use (OR=9.62, 95% CI=2.14~43.22, p=.003) were statistically significant risk factors for falls. In the medium-risk group, disorientation (OR=2.40, 95% CI=1.11~5.19, p=.026) was a statistically significant risk factor for falls. In the high-risk group, disorientation (OR=12.54, 95% CI=1.39~113.26, p=.024) and hypoglycemic agent use (OR=5.39, 95% CI=1.58~18.44, p=.007) were statistically significant risk factors for falls.Conclusion: The results of this study show that risk factors for falls differed among the fall risk groups. It is necessary to use fall prevention strategies tailored to fall risk groups and fall risk assessment tools that have been revised accordingly.