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Z Orthop Unfall 2025; 163(01): 71-78
DOI: 10.1055/a-2276-0011
Original Article

A 10-Year Study of the Trend of Accidental Falls in the Elderly in a Japanese Hospital

Recommendations by a Multidisciplinary Team to Reduce Accidental Falls in the ElderlyEine 10-Jahres-Studie über die Entwicklung von Sturzunfällen bei älteren Menschen in einem japanischen KrankenhausEmpfehlungen multidisziplinärer Teams zur Reduzierung von Stürzen bei älteren Menschen
Toru Takekawa 
1   Chiba Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Chiba, Japan
2   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Minato-ku, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN12839)
,
Kei Obuchi
2   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Minato-ku, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN12839)
,
Shu Watanabe
2   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Minato-ku, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN12839)
,
Naoki Yamada
2   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Minato-ku, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN12839)
,
Masahiro Abo
2   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Minato-ku, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN12839)
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Abstract

Introduction and Methods

Elderly people are prone to falls. We established the Falls Prevention Working Group (FPWG) at our hospital in 2015 to reduce the number of falls during hospitalization. This study compared the trend of in-hospital falls in the elderly in two time periods (2008/9 and 2018/9) and determined the effects of FPWG-implemented measures. Using medical records, we counted the monthly number of falls suffered by patients during hospitalization in April 2008-March 2009 and April 2018-March 2019. We also categorized the falls according to the severity of fall-related complications.

Results

A total of 3609 hospital falls were recorded during the 2008–2019 period (2008/9: n = 433, 2018/9: n = 324). Falls were more common in patients aged 70–79 in 2008/9 but were noted in those aged ≥ 80 in 2018/9. The mean number of falls/month (27.3 ± 6.4, range: 12–45) was stable throughout the year. The incidence of falls in 2018/9 (1.90/1000 per persons per day) was significantly lower than in 2008/9 (2.30/1000, p = 0.006). Level ≥ 3b accidents, reflecting serious accidents with complications, were encountered in 12 of 433 accidents in 2008/9 compared with significantly fewer accidents (2 of the same severity among 324 accidents) in 2018/9 (p = 0.030).

Discussion and Conclusion

Our results showed a decrease in in-hospital falls in 2018/9 and that the sufferers were older relative to 10 years earlier. A multidisciplinary team should recommend measures to prevent falls and an environment “resilient” to falls, and encourage patients to be aware of possible falls.

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung und Methoden

Ältere Menschen sind anfällig für Stürze. Wir haben 2015 in unserem Krankenhaus eine Arbeitsgruppe zur Sturzprävention (FPWG) gegründet, um die Zahl der Stürze während des Krankenhausaufenthalts zu reduzieren. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Entwicklung der Stürze bei älteren Menschen im Krankenhaus in 2 Zeiträumen (2008/09 und 2018/19) zu vergleichen und die Auswirkungen der FPWG durchgeführten Maßnahmen zu ermitteln. Wir verwendeten die Krankenakten, um die monatliche Anzahl der Stürze zu erfassen, die Patienten während ihres Krankenhausaufenthalts im April 2008/März 2009 und im April 2018/März 2019 erlitten. Außerdem kategorisierten wir die Stürze nach dem Schweregrad der sturzbedingten Komplikationen.

Ergebnisse

Im Zeitraum 2008–2019 wurden insgesamt 3609 Krankenhausstürze erfasst (2008/09: n = 433, 2018/19: n = 324). Stürze traten 2008/09 häufiger bei Patienten im Alter von 70–79 Jahren auf, wurden aber 2018/19 auch bei Patienten im Alter von ≥ 80 Jahren beobachtet. Die durchschnittliche Anzahl der Stürze pro Monat (27,3 ± 6,4, Bereich: 12–45) war über das Jahr hinweg stabil. Die Inzidenz von Stürzen war 2018/19 (1,90/1000 Personen pro Tag) deutlich niedriger als 2008/09 (2,30/1000, p = 0,006). Unfälle der Stufe ≥ 3b, welche schwere Unfälle mit Komplikationen widerspiegeln, traten 2008/09 bei 12 von 433 Unfällen auf. Im Vergleich gab es 2018/19 deutlich weniger Unfälle (2 Unfälle der gleichen Stufe bei 324 Unfällen; p = 0,030).

Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung

Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Zahl der Stürze im Krankenhaus 2018/19 zurückgegangen ist und dass die Sturzopfer im Vergleich zu vor 10 Jahren älter waren. Ein multidisziplinäres Team sollte Maßnahmen zur Vorbeugung von Stürzen und eine „sturzresiliente“ Umgebung empfehlen sowie die Patienten fördern, sich der Sturzgefahr bewusst zu sein.

Keywords

accidental falls - interdisciplinary team - longevity - risk management - prevention and control

Schlüsselwörter

Sturzunfälle - interdisziplinäres Team - Langlebigkeit - Risikomanagement - Prävention und Kontrolle


Publication History

Received: 05 March 2022

Accepted after revision: 24 February 2024

Article published online:
11 April 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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