An Observational Study On Fall Prevention Practices In A Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Patient falls in hospitals are a major source of preventable morbidity, particularly in tertiary care settings. This study aimed to identify and analyze key risk factors contributing to inpatient falls at Tertiary Care Hospital, India, over a three-year period (January 2022–January 2025). A total of 44 fall incidents were documented from over 200,000 admissions, highlighting vulnerabilities among elderly patients (61–80 years), night-shift periods, and high-acuity units such as Nursing and Oncology. Unassisted toileting, environmental hazards, and clinical factors were the most frequent precipitants. The study evaluated existing fall-prevention measures and identified gaps in patient behavior, reporting, staffing, and environmental safety. Based on these findings, a multifactorial fall-prevention program was proposed, integrating risk assessments, environmental modifications, patient and staff education, and organizational interventions. The program emphasizes cost-effective solutions suitable for resource-limited settings and promotes a culture of safety. The study contributes to the limited literature on hospital falls in India and provides a scalable framework for improving patient safety.