Falls of paediatric in- and out-patients in hospital: an Italian survey

ABSTRACT

AIM The aim of this study was to assess the number of falls that occurred among children admitted to a children's hospital and explore their characteristics.

METHOD A descriptive, longitudinal, prospective design was chosen. Data were collected from records of a children's hospital over six months and analysed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS Fifty eight falls were investigated. Most of these involved children, mainly boys, aged between one and three years, and most occurred in the evenings. All but one child was injured and 30 received medical interventions. In most cases an adult was present but was not paying sufficient attention to the child.

CONCLUSION Falls among children admitted to a children's hospital are increasingly recognised as an issue to be addressed by health organisations. Further investigation is required on a larger scale to agree definitions, classifications and preventive measures concerning children falling in hospital