Patient falls and fall-related injuries are
devastating to patients, clinicians, and the
health care system. Not only are the acute
impacts of a fall major but also a single fall
may result in a fear of falling and begin
a downward spiral of reduced mobility,
leading to loss of function and greater risk of
falls. In addition, older adults are, in general,
at increased risk of falls and are more likely to
be injured from a fall. Falls are the leading
cause of injuries sustained in the hospital and
result in an averageof12.3 additionalhospital
days and a 61% increase in patient care costs.
Studies show that 30%–45% of falls are related to toileting with patients falling on
the way from the bed or chair to the bathroom