Falls in the surgical ward: incidence and characterization
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0220e.41849Keywords:
critical care nursing; accidental falls; incidence; patient safetyAbstract
Introduction: Falls are the second leading cause of death from injuries worldwide and account for 21% of reported hospital incidents in Portugal. Prevention can reduce morbidity, mortality, and costs.
Objective: To determine the incidence and predictive factors of falls in surgical patients, as well as to identify the training needs of nurses in a Portuguese general surgery ward.
Methods: A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, retrospective study involving patients admitted between 30/06/2023 and 30/06/2024 in a general surgery department of a Portuguese hospital.
Results: A total of 24 falls were recorded among 1300 patients, with a mean age of 78.04 years. The highest incidence occurred in patients aged ≥85 years. Falls peaked at five PM in June 2024 (29.2%). The average hospital stay was 33.67 days. The ward accounted for 45.8% of falls. Injuries occurred in 45.8% of cases, with severe harm in 37.5%. The average time from admission to fall was 18.8 days.
Conclusion: Falls have a significant impact on nursing care and hospital management. Strengthening nursing team training and implementing rigorous operational procedures for fall recording and prevention is essential.
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