Description of the falls produced in nephrology during 10 years

Abstract

Introduction: Falls are a public health problem that weakens the patient and the health system. The primary objective was to describe the rate of falls in individuals admitted to a Nephrology Hospitalization Unit at a tertiary hospital in the Community of Madrid (Spain). At the same time, the secondary objectives were to describe the circumstances surrounding them and the risk factors presented by the subjects. Material and method: Cross-sectional descriptive study of falls occurring in individuals admitted to a Nephrology Hospitalization Unit at a tertiary hospital in Madrid from January 2012 to December 2021. Results: 80 people suffered a fall (n=80). The fall rate in nephrology per 1000 days of stay was 1.45, while the overall fall rate in the hospital, including the nephrology unit, was 1.22, both showing an upward trend. 68.8% (55) were men, with a mean age of 72.58 ± 14.06 years. The majority were partially dependent, 43.8% (35), 76.3% (61) were polymedicated and presented a high risk of falling, 53.8% (43). 22.5% (18) presented visual deficit, 17.5% (14) hearing deficit, and the majority had balance disorders 56.3% (45) and/or muscle weakness 72.5% (58); 35% (28) suffered urinary incontinence and 31.3% (25) fecal incontinence. Most of the falls occurred in the room 66.3% (53), due to sliding 41.3% (33). Most people, 73.8% (59), did not suffer consequences. Discussion and Conclusions: The fall rate has been increasing over the ten years described in this study, both in the Nephrology Hospitalization Unit and the whole institution. Subjects with CKD have an increased risk of presenting multiple risk factors, which is consistent with the results of this investigation. Identifying individuals at risk of falls becomes particularly important in this population and should be one of the top priorities for healthcare professionals, especially nursing staff who provide care.