• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.269-281
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to build a model to predict the fall prevention behavior of nurses in small and medium sized hospitals. Methods: Participants were 382 nurses from 13 hospitals who responded to the structured self-reported questionnaire. The research model was based on previous study of fall prevention, theory of planned behavior, and the health belief model. Results: The modified model generally showed higher levels than recommended level of model fit indices and acceptable explanation. Of 17 hypothetical paths, 14 were supported. Predicting variables explained 51.6% of fall prevention behavior. The fall prevention behavior of nurses showed a direct influence of fall prevention expectations, fall prevent threats, perceived behavioral control for fall prevention, and intention to prevent falls and an indirect of influence of patient safety culture, attitude toward fall prevention, and the subjective norm. Conclusion: Findings show a need to identify a range of barrier factors to increase the benefits of fall prevention behavior and enhance the perceived control of fall prevention so that nurses will be able to promote fall prevention behavior in hospitals. Also, it is critical to increase awareness of patient safety culture among nurses.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.218-229
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to assess and compare the effectiveness of various fall prevention interventions in hospitals through a network meta-analysis. Methods: A network meta-analysis was conducted using the "netmeta" package in R software (v4.1), employing a frequency method. Odds ratios of fall rates and injurious fall rates were utilized to confirm the effects of interventions for fall prevention. Comparative rankings of these interventions were determined using cumulative probability (P-score). Results: Comparative rankings via cumulative probability (P-scores) revealed individualized education as the most effective intervention for fall incidence (P-Score 87.8%). Followed by fall-preventing sensors (60.9%), multicomponent interventions (47.4%), usual care (33.2%), and environmental modification (20.7%). For fall-related injuries, individualized education ranked highest (P-Score 97.1%), followed by multicomponent interventions (76.0%), usual care (47.6%), environmental modification (24.2%), and fall-preventing sensors (5.1%). Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the relative effectiveness of diverse interventions in preventing fall incidence through network meta-analysis. The findings aim to support nurses in making informed decisions when implementing fall prevention strategies in clinical practice.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1330-1338
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• 2011

Social activities of the elderly have been increasing as our society progresses toward an aging society. As their activities increase, so does the occurrence of falls that could lead to fractures. Falls are serious health hazards to the elderly. Therefore, development of a device that can detect fall accidents and prevent fracture is essential. In this study, we developed a portable fall detection system for the fracture prevention system of the elderly. The device is intended to detect a fall and activate a second device such as an air bag deployment system that can prevent fracture. The fall detection device contains a 3-axis acceleration sensor and two 2-axis tilt sensors. We measured acceleration and tilt angle of body during fall and activities of daily(ADL) living using the fall detection device that is attached on the subjects'. Moving mattress which is actuated by a pneumatic system was used in fall experiments and it could provide forced falls. Sensor data during fall and ADL were sent to computer and filtered with low-pass filter. The developed fall detection device was successful in detecting a fall about 0.1 second before a severe impact to occur and detecting the direction of the fall to provide enough time and information for the fracture preventive device to be activated. The fall detection device was also able to differentiate fall from ADL such as walking, sitting down, standing up, lying down, and running.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.107-120
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• 2009

Background : To estimate fall incidence rate and associated factors in inpatients from a general hospital. Method : The data were collected from 104 fall incident reports developed by the patient safety committee in a general hospital in Seoul from 01 January 2007 to 31 December 2008. Information included general characteristics of patients, factors related to fall, types, places, circumstances and outcomes of fall. Result : The incidence rate of fall, which was 4.4 per 1,000 total discharged patients and 0.5 per 1,000 patient-days, was much lower than that of several hospitals in the United States. The difference may reflect the different incidence reporting system of each hospital. Fall-prone patients were, in general, $$\geq_-$$65 years of age, had an alert mental status, were ambulatory with some assistance, and were dependent on and ambulatory device. High incidence of falls was associated with patients with circulatory disease. The majority of fall events usually occurred in bed or at the bedside in the patient's room, and occurred more often during the night than during the day or evening. Risk factors of fall were use of drugs (antihypertensive or neuropsychiatric drugs) and environmental factors (e.g., overly high bed height, surrounding objects, inadequate fitness shoes and slippery floor). Physical injury occurred in 43.3% of fall events, which typically required diagnosis of injury and treatment such as suturing. Risk factors for repeated falls were use of a neuropsychiatric drug (odds ratio=13.9) and gait disturbance (odds ratio=91.2). Risk factors for fall-related injury were alert mental status (odds ratio=3.3 times more likely to fall than those who were drowsy or in a stupor) and general weakness(odds ratio=3.3 times more likely to fall than those who were not generally weak). Conclusion : Medical and nursing staff should be aware of the fall risk factors of hospitalized patients and should intensively pursue preventative strategies. Development of fall prevention education based on these results is recommended.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.3383-3389
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between falls efficacy, perception of fall risk and fall prevention behavior in frail elderly. The data was collected from 300 elderly through the questionnaire. 1)the mean score of fall efficacy was $34.3{\pm}11.5$, perception of fall risk was $34.3{\pm}11.5$, and fall prevention behavior was $17.7{\pm}2.75$. 2)Fall efficacy was significantly different according to falls experience(t=2.905, p<.05). Perception of fall risk was significantly different according to falls experience (t=2.704, p<.05) and Fall prevention behavior was significantly different according to falls experience (t=2.706, p<.05). 3) It showed the negative relation between fall efficacy and perception of fall risk. It showed the positive relation between falls efficacy and falls prevention behaviors, and falls prevention behaviors and perception of fall risk. According to this study, it showed relation between fall efficacy, perception of fall risk and falls prevention behaviors. Thus it is highly recommended to include reinforce of efficacy and perception of fall risk in an effective fall-prevention program.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.187-196
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• 2011

Purpose: The study evaluated the effects of a fall prevention program in a Korean rural area. Methods: A single pretest-posttest design group was studied. Thirty nine residents in the same rural area participated in a program comprised of education and exercise. The 5-week fall prevention program was performed for 60 minutes, once a week. Results: Fall Efficacy Scale (FES) score and Activities-specific of Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) score were significantly increased after the program, but the pre-and posttest FES and ABS scores were not significantly different between the fall experience group and non-fall experience group. Conclusion: The fall prevention program can improve rural residents' FES and ABS, and is recommended as a fall prevention intervention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.73-80
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of life related to fall experiences in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 117 patients with stroke from 3 hospitals in D metropolitan city. General characteristics, including fall experiences and quality of life, were assessed through a face-to-face interviews conducted in a quiet place using a questionnaire. Measurement of quality of life in stroke patients was conducted using the Korean Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL). To identify the SS-QOL items related to fall experiences, the items of the SS-QOL were considered as independent variables, and the variables that were significantly different according to fall experiences were identified using a univariate analysis. A binary logistic regression was then performed using fall experiences as the independent variable. RESULTS: According to the univariate analysis, self help activities, social role, and upper extremity function were significantly lower in the fall group than that in the non-fall group (p<.05). The findings of the binary logistic regression confirmed that social roles and upper extremity function were the SS-QOL items that were related to fall experience in chronic stroke patients. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that social roles and upper extremity function may be risk factors for fall experience in patients with chronic stroke.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.432-440
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• 2003

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine 1) functional status at 2 months after hip fracture surgery 2) health care utilization after a fall episode and 3) fear of falling experienced during first 2 months after a fall episode. Method: With a convenient sample of 99 elderly from six university or general hospitals with hip fracture from a fall, data were collected at 2-3 days before discharge and at 2 months after hip fracture surgery. Result: 1) At 2 months after hip fracture from a fall, significant proportion (25.3%) of elderly was not able to walk indoors. 2) Average length of hospital stay was 27.6 days with a range of 8 to 86 days. About 51% subjects received physical therapy during hospital stay, and only 6.1% subjects received physical therapy following discharge from the hospital. 3) Significant proportion (72.7%) had fear of falling after the fall episode. About 51% reported that they restricted their activities because they had fear of falling. Conclusion: Fall is a dreaded event which result in loss of independence and restriction of activity. Development and application of fall prevention program is critical especially for those with risk factors of fall.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.74-82
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the fall risk factors and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Morse Fall Scale(MFS) as an assessment tool among hospitalized inpatients. Methods: The medical records of a total of 294 patients who admitted to hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2010 were reviewed. One hundred forth seven patients who had experienced fall were matched with 147 patients who have never experienced fall. The fall information was obtained from electronic medical records and fall reports. Results: There were significant differences in visual disturbances, pain, emotional disturbances, sleep disorder, urination problems and elimination disorder at admission between fallers and non-fallers. Patients who had higher MFS scores at admission were more likely to fall as compared to the patients with lower MFS scores. When falls did occur, these occurred within five days following admission, in the patient room, among patients with alert mental status, and among patients who were ambulant with some assistance. Conclusion: The findings of this study support the need of using risk assessment tool for predicting risk for falls. This finding can be used as a useful resource to develop nursing intervention strategies for fall prevention at the hospital.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.200-213
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effect of a fall prevention education on the fall related knowledge and fall prevention behavior of the elderly patients in comprehensive nursing care service wards. Method: A quasi experimental study with control group and experimental group was used. A total 62 elderly patients in comprehensive nursing care service wards were randomly divided into the experimental group(n=30) and the control group(n=32). The data collection period was from August to December, 2017. Data were analyzed with $X^2-test$, paired t-test, independent t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient by using SPSS 25.0. Results: Experimental group reported higher score in fall related knowledge than the control group(t=-10.28, p<.001). Participants who viewed DVD and received the leaflet education reported higher score than those with routine admission education(t=-6.51, p<.001). The experimental group showed significant improvement in fall related knowledge and fall prevention behavior(r=.21, p=.015). Conclusion: The fall prevention program was effective in improving fall-related knowledge and fall prevention behavior among elderly patients. Since the DVD plus leaflet education was effective in improving prevention behaviors, it might be included in routine orientation on admission for the elderly patient in comprehensive nursing care service wards.