Incidence of falls and fall-related outcomes among people in aged-care facilities in the Lower Hunter region, NSW.

This article describes the rate of falls and adverse outcomes following falls, such as fracture, hospitalisation and death, among residents of 88 aged-care facilities in the Lower Hunter region of NSW from July to December 2005. A high rate of falls was observed with a crude incidence of 171 falls per 1000 beds per month. Around 40% of the falls resulting in hospitalisation were for fractured neck of femur. Estimated 3-month survival following fractured neck of femur was low, with a rate ratio of around 1 : 3. The data indicate an urgent need for falls injury prevention in aged-care facilities.