FALLS AMONG GEROPSYCHIATRY INPATIENTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH PRN MEDICATIONS FOR AGITATION

A retrospective chart review study was conducted to determine risk factors associated with falls. All patients on a 23-bed geropsychiatry service who fell during the course of one calendar year (17 patients, 30 falls) were compared to a control group of 30 non-fallers from the same service and time period. The group of patients who fell during hospitalization was characterized by more frequent history of falls (18% vs 0%, p < 0.05) and ambulatory impairment (76% vs 47%, p < 0.05) and longer length of hospital stay (81 days vs 46 days, p < 0.02). There was no difference in number of medical diagnoses or standing medications between the fallers and non-fallers, but the fallers were more frequently administered benzodiazepines (0.088 doses/day vs 0.034 doses/day, p < 0.03) and neuroleptics (0.039 doses/day vs 0.014 doses/day, p < 0.06) on a PRN basis for agitation. We conclude that falls among geropsychiatry inpatients are associated with the administration of PRN benzodiazepines and neuroleptics to control agitation.