Analysis of Fall Accidents of Dizzy Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in South Korea (2011-2015).
10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.17531
- Author:
Sung Kyun KIM
1
;
Sung Ho LEE
;
Seon Heui LEE
;
Jae Jun SONG
;
Mi Jung GWAK
;
Hee Seon LEE
;
Gi Jung IM
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwaseong, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Accident prevention;
Accidental falls;
Dizziness;
Education;
Risk factors
- MeSH:
Accident Prevention;
Accidental Falls;
Aged;
Baths;
Craniocerebral Trauma;
Diagnosis;
Dizziness;
Education;
Human Body;
Humans;
Incidence;
Korea*;
Lacerations;
Mass Screening;
Methods;
Motor Activity;
Otolaryngology;
Risk Factors;
Sterilization;
Sutures;
Tertiary Care Centers*;
Walking
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2017;60(6):271-278
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A fall refers to a sudden fall accident resulting in injury and hurt of the human body. In the hospital, fall accidents occur mainly in dizzy patients or elderly people, but can also occur even in young people who fail to adapt to the unfamiliar hospital environment. This study analyzed the incidence of fall accidents and its pattern in dizzy patients in a tertiary hospital in South Korea. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This study was conducted using 477 fall accidents that occurred in a tertiary hospital in Korea from 2011 to 2015. Extensively investigated were related fall risk factors such as patient's sex, age, medical department, diagnosis, first witness, mental status, physical activity, patient risk factors, walking aids, medication use and treatment. RESULTS: Dizziness induced falls consisted of 20.5% of the total fall accidents. Sedative medications were frequently used in patients of dizziness induced falls (42.9%). Fall acidents were mainly detected by nurses 33%. The frequente sites of fall were the bed rooms (55%), the corridor (15%) or the bath rooms (8%). Types of physical damage were no damage (47%), abrasion or bruising (20%), laceration (10%), bath rooms (8%), fracture (3%), and head trauma (1%). In 532 treatments, observation was recommended for 68%, sterilization 15.2%, suture 4.7%, cast 1%, and surgery 1%. CONCLUSION: The study finds that the fall risk screening test and Multifactorial Fall Prevention Program should be performed for all high-risk patients of fall. About 20% of falls were associated with otologic dizziness, and otolaryngology doctors should pay attention to the fall problem and the medication related to dizziness, which may potentially increase the risk of falls.
