Tassi di caduta e fattori di rischio nella struttura ospedaliera per acuti di Trento: studio retrospettivo 2019-2021

Introduction: Falls represent a significant global public health issue due to their frequency and associated morbidity and mortality. They are the second leading cause of accidental injury-related death worldwide. The elderly and individuals with multiple comorbidities are particularly vulnerable. In the acute care setting, falls jeopardise patient safety and contribute to increased healthcare costs. This study estimates the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of falls with the aim of improving patient safety. Materials and methods: This single-centre, retrospective, observational study was conducted in an acute care hospital in Trento, Italy. The study analysed fall reports collected between 2019 and 2021 across various hospital departments, excluding the rehabilitation unit. Injury severity was classified according to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators. The fall rate is the number of falls per 1,000 patient days, while the fall rate with injury is the number of falls with injury per 1,000 patient days. To identify risk factors associated with falls, both intrinsic and extrinsic factors were analysed based on patient characteristics and environmental conditions documented in the fall reports. Results: A total of 1,001 fall reports were recorded for 844 patients, with a fall rate of 1.93 per 1,000 patient days, and a fall rate with injury of 0.69. The majority of falls (60.9%) occurred among male patients with an average age of 68.6 years. Of the total number of falls, 35.9% resulted in injury, mostly minor (77.2%). Most falls occurred in medical areas (63.9%), with a significant proportion occurring specifically in patients’ rooms (71.9%). Additionally, fallrelated injuries were more common among patients aged 75 years and older. Discussion and conclusions: The study highlights the high incidence of falls and related injuries in acute care settings, particularly among older patients. Targeted prevention strategies are needed to reduce the risk of falls and associated injuries.