Injuries from Falls and Immobility

Summary

In hospitals and other health care facilities falls are among the most frequently reported incidents. Falls can sometimes lead to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas. Immobility is a decrease in the amount of time spent up and moving. Immobility causes loss of muscle strength and bad changes in the heart and blood vessels.

Goal: The Partnership for Patients estimates that 25 percent of fall injuries are preventable. The goal set for hospitals is to cut the number of preventable fall injuries in half while maintaining or increasing patients' mobility by 2013, preventing 43,750 fall injuries, while maintaining or increasing mobility.