Patient safety incidents describing patient falls in critical care in North West England between 2009 and 2017.
Thomas AN, Balmforth JE. Patient safety incidents describing patient falls in critical care in North West England between 2009 and 2017. J Patient Saf. 2021;17(2):e71-e75. doi:10.1097/pts.0000000000000574.
Patient falls represent a serious source of preventable harm. The authors reviewed patient safety incidents in critical care units in England between 2009 and 2017 and found that a small proportion (2%) involved a fall. Common factors involved in fall incidents included patients attempting tasks without assistance, patient confusion, and staff being away from the patient. Harm to patient or staff occurred in 22% of falls.