Incidência e ações preventivas de quedas em adultos hospitalizados: um estudo comparativo

Abstract

Introduction: Falls in the hospital setting constitute a significant adverse event related to patient safety, with a substantial impact on the quality of care, length of stay, and hospital costs. Objective: To comparatively analyze the incidence, profile, and preventive actions related to falls reported in adult patients hospitalized in two public hospitals in Manaus, Amazonas. Method: This is a descriptive, comparative, and retrospective study, conducted using secondary data from fall notifications recorded by the Patient Safety Centers, from January to December 2022. Forty-seven patients were included, 39 from Hospital 1 and 8 from Hospital 2. Results: The results showed a higher number of falls in Hospital 1, predominantly among males and in the 50-69 age group. The falls occurred mainly from standing height, primarily in patient rooms/wards and bathrooms. The main risk factors identified were advanced age, previous history of falls, polypharmacy, balance disorders, and environmental factors. Discussion: A predominance of mild injuries was observed, although one serious case occurred, highlighting the importance of studies addressing this topic, aiming to improve the quality of health services. Conclusion: Falls remain a challenge for patient safety, reinforcing the need for continuous risk assessment, educational actions, and the implementation of effective preventive measures in the hospital environment.