Determining patients' risk of falling who are admitted into the emergency department

Aim: This study was conducted with the aim of determining the risk of falling in patients admitted to the emergency service, and was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between 1.11.2014 and 31.11.2014 at the Emergency Service of Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital. The sample consisted of the 752 patients who were admitted to the emergency service and who accepted to take part in the research. Data, which consisted of patients' socio-demographic characteristics and falling characteristics, was collected using an Individual Characteristics Form, the Falling Risk Assessment Scale devised by the Delmarva Foundation, and a Falling Assessment Form. Statistical evaluation of data was performed with the use of numerical and percentage values, the chi-square test, and Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis. Findings: It was found that 37% of the patients taking part in the study were in the over-65-year age group; 52% were male and 59.4% had a chronic illness. It was established that 30.3% of the patients had a high risk of falling according to the Delmarva Foundation Scale (10 points or more). A statistically significant difference was found between the level of risk of falling and the patients' age, educational level, state of chronic illness, the unit of the emergency service where they were, and the reason for their admission to the emergency service (p<0.001). It was found that 20.5% of the patients in the study had a history of falling once or twice in the previous three months, 27% needed support in meeting their toilet needs and 35.9% needed support when walking. Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients who are admitted to the emergency service are at risk of falling. In particular, patients' risk of falling is affected by individual characteristics, their state of chronic illness, the unit of the emergency service where they are, and the reason for their admittance to the emergency service. Key words: Emergency service, risk of falling, patient safety.