Citation

Gavin-Dreschnack D, Nelson A, Fitzgerald S, Harrow J, Sanchez-Anguiano A, Ahmed S, Powell-Cope G. J. Nurs. Care Qual. 2005; 20(2): 119-127.

Affiliation

James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Patient Safety Center, 11605 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. deborah.gavin-dreschnack@med.va.gov

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15839290

Abstract

While much of the research on falls has focused on the ambulatory elderly, little is known about wheelchair-related falls that occur in persons with disabilities. A thorough understanding of wheelchair-related falls would include the demographics, the mechanism and nature of the fall event, and the nature of any resultant injury, including the cost of treatment and long-term sequelae. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the current data on wheelchair-related falls and to make recommendations for avenues for improved quality of care and future research to promote patient safety.