Applied Nursing Research
Volume 22, Issue 3 , Pages 159-165, August 2009

Inpatient falls: the impact of family and personal caregivers

  • Huey-Ming Tzeng, PhD, RN

      Affiliations

    • Division of Nursing Business and Health Systems, University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 734 358 0358; fax: +1 734 994 9776.
    • ,
  • Chang-Yi Yin, MA

      Affiliations

    • Department of History, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan 11192

Received 27 May 2007; received in revised form 14 September 2007; accepted 24 September 2007.

Abstract 

The impact of family and personal caregivers on inpatients with fall-related injuries in a Taiwanese medical center is investigated in this study. Taiwan has a prevalent custom for families to accompany their hospitalized loved ones during hospital stays. During the 95-day data collection period, 228 falls occurred. Results showed that if no family members were present when a patient fell, the fall-related injury was less serious. Nurses in Taiwan tend to depend on family members to help provide patient care. Regardless of whether an inpatient has a family member present, frequent bedside nursing visits are important to prevent falls.

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 12.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0897-1897(07)00126-7

doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2007.09.002

Applied Nursing Research
Volume 22, Issue 3 , Pages 159-165, August 2009

Article Tools