Study identifies risk factors for falls among children in Italy hospitals

A prospective study of patients admitted to a children's hospital in Italy identified risk factors for falls. It found that lack of attention among parents or caregivers, or by the children, accounted for 41 per cent of falls and that most falls occurred when a parent or caregiver was present, indicating that such supervision did not necessarily prevent a fall.

More can be done to prevent children in hospital being injured by accidental falls, according to research published in the December issue of Nursing Children and Young People.

Researchers in Italy found that falls among children admitted to a children's hospital led to additional medical interventions and affected the length of their hospital stays and care plans.

Most falls occurred in the child's room. The children who fell ranged in age between seven months and 16 years, with most falls occurring among those aged between one and three years. More than half of children received a medical intervention that had not been included in their original care plan. Healing times of most of the injuries were two to three days.

Factors involved in falls included typical developmental characteristics of toddler development or environmental factors, such as lowered bed rails.

However, the researchers say, that in almost all cases a parent or caregiver was nearby.  They listed lack of attention from the family or child as a major cause of falls.

They say the study cannot be generalised for all children's hospitals or for falls among children admitted to general hospitals, but that it does feed into a larger discussion about classification of falls and the use of fall-risk assessment tools for children.

'Adverse outcomes can be avoided, care quality can be improved and healthcare costs can be reduced if children's falls in hospital are prevented,' the authors say.

'If healthcare professionals were to become aware of the possible reasons for falls, they may be able to assess risk factors and implement preventive strategies. Meanwhile, raising parents' and caregivers' awareness of the potential for accidents through appropriate education may encourage them to pay more informed attention to children and their immediate environments.'

Source: http://www.nursingchildrenandyoungpeople.co.uk