Comparison of Risk Factors of Falling for Psychiatric Inpatients and General Ward Inpatients Who Had Fallen

BACKGROUND: For psychiatric patients, the issue of falling is complex. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the risk factors for falling in psychiatric inpatients and general ward inpatients who had fallen. METHODS: The researchers first derived official fall records for 122 psychiatric inpatients and then selected 122 psychiatric inpatients who had not fallen as well as 122 general ward patients who had fallen, matched for gender, age, and length of hospital stay at the time of the fall incident. RESULTS: After controlling other variables, multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that psychiatric inpatients who had fallen and had dizziness (odds ratio [OR] = 7.11, p <.001), had an unsteady gait (OR = 1.97, p =.030), or were not using aids (OR = 0.42, p =.042) were at greater risk of falling than those who had not fallen. The researchers also found that general ward inpatients who had fallen and had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (OR = 1.77, p <.001), were clear-headed (OR = 27.15, p =.001), had dizziness (OR = 11.55, p <.001), were unable to walk (OR = 64.28, p <.001), or were using aids (OR = 3.86, p =.001) were at greater risk of falling than those who had not fallen before. CONCLUSIONS: The causes of falling among psychiatric inpatients and general ward inpatients are different. Medical personnel should understand the medications and attributes of patients for an accurate assessment of their risk factors for falling and thus implement fall prevention measures and health education to reduce falls.