Factors Influencing Falls in Inpatients

입원환자의 낙상 경험에 영향을 미치는 요인

Purpose: This study was done to identify factors influencing falls in inpatients. A comprehensive analysis of individual, disease, and environment related factors and an assessment of being in a risk factor group were included in the data. Method: The medical records of 325 inpatients were reviewed. Data were collected from January to July 2003. Frequencies, 1-test and $X^2-test$ were used to analyze the data and the SPSS program was used. Results: Individual-related factors for inpatients falls were age, drinking and weakness. Disease-related factors for inpatients falls were diagnostic department, admission from ER or OPD, admission by wheelchair or orther method and activity status. Environment-related factors for inpatient falls were re-education and side-rails. Assessment of the risk factor group related factors were age, history of falls, body balance, depression, communication, medication, chronic disease, urinary condition and total score for risk factors. Conclusion: Experienceing a fall among Korean inpatients was associated not only with individual factors, but also with disease and environmental factors. The findings of this study suggest that broad intervention programs should be provided to prevent inpatient falls.