Circumstances and outcomes of falls in hospital for adults with communication disability secondary to stroke: A qualitative synthesis.

The second paper from my PhD has been published open access in Advances in Communication and Swallowing. Check it out via the link below 

https://content.iospress.com/articles/advances-in-communication-and-swallowing/acs210028

In the TLDR: This paper reviews the literature looking at where, when & what happens after falls in this vulnerable population using a patient safety model for analysis. It’s the second literature review and follows nicely from my systematic review.

This study looked at the known contributing factors and hazards for falls, circumstances of falls, and outcomes and consequences of falls in patients with communication disability following stroke. The results are briefly outlined below:  

Contributing Factors and Hazards

The reviewed studies mainly focused on intrinsic risk factors, such as balance impairments, without considering other factors that could contribute to falls. Notably, medications, environmental factors, and the role of family members or visitors were mentioned in some studies, but the focus was not on patients with communication disabilities.

Circumstances of Falls

The majority of falls in stroke patients occurred in the patient's bedroom or bedside, during transfers (e.g., from bed to wheelchair), and during the day. These falls were often unwitnessed, which is concerning since patients typically spend a significant amount of time alone in their rooms.

Outcomes and Consequences

Most falls resulted in no or mild injuries, but some studies reported an increased length of stay for patients who fell. This underscores the importance of falls prevention in reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Falls in hospitalized stroke patients with communication disabilities are a pressing patient safety concern. Despite their heightened risk, the existing literature provides limited insight into the specific circumstances and outcomes of falls for these patients.

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