Impact of level of nurse experience on falls in medical surgical units

Aim To describe nurse-specific and patient risk factors present at the time of a patient fall on medical surgical units within an academic public health care system. Background The incidence of falls can be devastating for hospitalized patients and their families. Few studies have investigated how patient and nurse-specific factors can decrease the occurrence of falls in hospitals. Method In this retrospective cohort study, data were gathered on all patients who experienced a fall during January 2012 to December 2013. Results Falls were reduced dramatically when the number of nurses on the unit increased to five or six. Patient falls occurred most often when either the least experienced or most experienced nursing staff were providing care. Conclusion Patient falls in hospitals can be influenced not only by patient-specific factors, but also by nurse staffing and experience level. Implications for nursing management Findings from this study highlight factors which may contribute to hospital-based falls prevention initiatives and are amenable to nursing management decisions.