|
|
|
|
Sixty-two of the patients(39%)suffered falls.The total number of falls was 153,which corresponds to an incidence rate of 159 falls per 10,000 patient-days.Most falls occurred during transfers and from sitting in a wheelchair or on some other kind of furniture.Seventeen falls(11%)were classified as the result of extrinsic mechanisms,49(32%)were intrinsic falls,39(25%)occurred in a nonbipedal position(while sitting or lying),and 48 falls(31%)remained unclassified.No injury was observed in 109 of 153 incidents(71%),whereas 6 falls(4%)involved fractures or other serious injury.Since falls are so frequent,they must be considered a significant problem in stroke rehabilitation.Fall prevention strategies should therefore be developed and included in rehabilitation programs. |
|