Operational definitions
Term
Definition
Operational definitions
The concept of falls is limited here to patients who have already fallen
and been harmed whether minor, moderate, severe or extreme injury,
but patients who have tripped or slipped or lost their balance are
excluded.
patient fall
An unplanned descent to the floor with or without injury to the
patient.
A fall may result in fractures, lacerations, or internal bleeding, leading
to increased health care utilization. (AHRQ)
Patient safety
Main dimension of healthcare quality, considering minimizing,
reporting and analyzing incidents that often lead to avoidable adverse
effects.
fall
An event which causes the person coming to rest on the ground or
another surface lower than the person, whether or not an injury is
sustained.
Near Fall
Sudden loss of balance with incomplete fall which include slips,
stumbles, or strip with ability to control.
OVR
Occurrence variance report
Intrinsic factors
lifestyle activities
age-related changes such as changes in mobility
Personality illness and injury
Extrinsic factors
Medication: such as sleeping, sedation, painkillers medication and
medication with parkinsonian side effects.
Environment such as lighting, wet floor, steps, foot wear, distances and
spaces.