Preventing patient falls in hospital.

摘要

The report (NPSA, 2007) states that more falls are reported to the NRLS than any other type of patient safety incident, accounting for almost two-fifths of reports. Over 200 000 falls were reported to the NPSA's National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS) in the 12 months from September 2005 to August 2006 from acute and community hospitals, and mental health trusts. Most of these falls either caused minor harm or no harm at all, although, a minority caused significant injury and even death.The most commonly recorded injuries were grazes, cuts and bruises. Out of these 200 000 reported falls 26 were reported which 'appear to have resulted in death' (NPSA, 2007); these were predominantly from head injuries (17 deaths) or following fractured neck of femur (seven deaths).