A CASE CONTROL STUDY OF FALLING INCIDENTS AMONG THE HOSPITALIZED ELDERLY

Falling incidents among the hospitalized elderly were investigated using a case/control methodology to identify high-risk individuals. The medical records of all patients who had a reported fall (N equals 173) in 1978 in one geriatric facility were compared with the records of a random sample of patients without a reported fall (N equals 339). The significant risk factors were male sex, urinary incontinence within 48 hours prior to the fall, and psychoactive medication 12 hours prior to the fall. It was concluded that some patients may have a greater tendency to fall than others and suggestions for exploring future means of prevention are presented.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1800052
• Corporate Authors:

  National Safety Council

  444 North Michigan Avenue
  Chicago, IL  United States  60611
• Authors:
  • SOROCK, G S
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 47-52
• Serial:
  • Journal of Safety Research
  • Volume: 14
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0022-4375
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00224375

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Epidemiology; Falling; Hazards; Risk assessment
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00385740
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-035 983
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: May 30 1984 12:00AM