PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the rate of falls and their relationship with sociodemographic and clinical factors in a psychiatric institution in Beijing, China. DESIGN AND METHODS: The case notes of 7,921 inpatients were scrutinized to identify patients who fell while in the hospital. FINDINGS: The fall rate in this study was 1.2% of all inpatients. Nearly all (89.7%) falls occurred when patients attempted to stand up, get out of bed, or walk. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Effective measures should be provided to prevent falls in psychiatric wards. A prospective study exploring predictors of falls is warranted.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the rate of falls and their relationship with sociodemographic and clinical factors in a psychiatric institution in Beijing, China. DESIGN AND METHODS: The case notes of 7,921 inpatients were scrutinized to identify patients who fell while in the hospital. FINDINGS: The fall rate in this study was 1.2% of all inpatients. Nearly all (89.7%) falls occurred when patients attempted to stand up, get out of bed, or walk. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Effective measures should be provided to prevent falls in psychiatric wards. A prospective study exploring predictors of falls is warranted.