TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - The fear and risk of community falls in patients following an intensive care admission: an exploratory cohort study
JO  - Australian critical care
A1  - Parry, S. M.
A1  - Denehy, L.
A1  - Granger, C. L.
A1  - McGinley, J. L.
A1  - Files, D. C.
A1  - Berry, M. J.
A1  - Dhar, S.
A1  - Bakhru, R. N.
A1  - Larkin, J. S. T.
A1  - Puthucheary, Z. A.
A1  - Clark, R. A.
A1  - Morris, P. E.
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - BACKGROUND: Muscle weakness and impairments in physical functioning are well-recognised sequelae after critical illness. Whether individuals have a higher risk of community falls and a fear of falling has not been examined amongst individuals after critical illness. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of falls, fear of falling, and fall risk in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors over a 6-month period after hospital discharge. <br><br>METHODS: This was a nested exploratory study within a medical ICU. Fall prevalence was measured in line with established guidelines over 6 months after ICU discharge. Fear of falling and prediction of fall risk were assessed at 2, 4, and 6 months after discharge. <br><br>RESULTS: Twelve individuals were included. Half of the cohort (n = 6) had at least one fall, with one-third sustaining more than one fall. There were 17 falls reported across the six individuals. Injuries requiring medical intervention were reported with five falls. Almost one-third were classified as 'moderate' to 'severe' injurious falls. Loss of balance and fatigue were reported as the main contributors to the falls. All individuals who had a fall reported a severe fear of falling at 2 months. Individuals classified as having 'moderate' to 'high' risk of falls at 2 months were more likely to have at least one fall. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that ICU survivors may have a high fall risk, fear of falling, and fall prevalence, which can result in significant injury.<br><br>Copyright © 2019 Australian College of Critical Care Nurses Ltd. All rights reserved.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1036-7314
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2019.04.006
ID  - ref1
ER  -