2017 Volume 8 Pages 10-15
Teranishi T, Kondo I, Okuyama Y, Tanino G, Miyasaka H, Sonoda S. Investigation of factors involved in patient falls during the early stage of hospitalization in a Kaifukuki rehabilitation ward. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2017; 8: 10-15.
Objective: To investigate factors affecting the occurrence of falls during the early stage of hospitalization in a Kaifukuki (convalescence) rehabilitation ward.
Methods: The subjects were 545 hospitalized patients, divided into a fall group (having experienced a fall within 14 days following admission) and a non-fall group. Differences between the two groups in terms of the Standing Test for Imbalance and Disequilibrium (SIDE) level and in the subscales of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were investigated. Logistic regression was carried out on items for which there were significant differences between the groups as dependent variables and the occurrence of falls as the objective variable, and the odds ratios were computed.
Results: The fall group comprised 36 subjects. Significant differences between groups were found in the SIDE level, lower body dressing, bath transfer, stairs, social interaction, problem solving, and memory. Logistic regression only identified problem solving as associated with the occurrence of falls (odds ratio, 0.288; p=0.035). For the SIDE level, complete separation of non-fall subjects was seen at levels of 2b or higher.
Conclusion: Falls in the early stage following admission do not occur among individuals with good balance, and problem solving according to the FIM is involved in falls.
