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Exploring Hospital Inpatients’ Awareness of Their Falls Risk: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

Author

Listed:
  • Elissa Dabkowski

    (Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Gippsland, VIC 3842, Australia)

  • Simon J. Cooper

    (Health Innovation and Transformation Centre, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC 3806, Australia)

  • Jhodie R. Duncan

    (Research Unit, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Traralgon, VIC 3844, Australia)

  • Karen Missen

    (Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Gippsland, VIC 3842, Australia)

Abstract

Patient falls in hospital may lead to physical, psychological, social and financial impacts. Understanding patients’ perceptions of their fall risk will help to direct fall prevention strategies and understand patient behaviours. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences that influence a patient’s understanding of their fall risk in regional Australian hospitals. Semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted in wards across three Australian hospitals. Participants were aged 40 years and over, able to communicate in English and were mobile prior to hospital admission. Participants were excluded from the study if they returned a Standardised Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE) score of less than 18 when assessed by the researcher. A total of 18 participants with an average age of 69.8 years (SD ± 12.7, range 41 to 84 years) from three regional Victorian hospitals were interviewed for this study. Data were analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis identifying three major themes; (1) Environment (extrinsic) (2) Individual (intrinsic), and (3) Outcomes, as well as eight minor themes. Participants recognised the hazardous nature of a hospital and their personal responsibilities in staying safe. Falls education needs to be consistently delivered, with the focus on empowering the patient to help them adjust to changes in their clinical condition, whether temporary or permanent.

Suggested Citation

  • Elissa Dabkowski & Simon J. Cooper & Jhodie R. Duncan & Karen Missen, 2022. "Exploring Hospital Inpatients’ Awareness of Their Falls Risk: A Qualitative Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:454-:d:1016943
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Joanna Jellett & Cylie Williams & Diana Clayton & Virginia Plummer & Terry Haines, 2020. "Falls risk score removal does not impact inpatient falls: A stepped‐wedge, cluster‐randomised trial," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(23-24), pages 4505-4513, December.
    2. Stephanie Gettens & Paul Fulbrook & Melanie Jessup & Nancy Low Choy, 2018. "The patients’ perspective of sustaining a fall in hospital: A qualitative study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(3-4), pages 743-752, February.
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