Falls in newly admitted nursing home residents: A national study

Natalie E. Leland, Pedro Gozalo, Joan Teno, Vince Mor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives To examine the relationship between nursing home (NH) organizational characteristics and falls in newly admitted NH residents. Design Observational cross-sectional study from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2006. Setting NHs in the United States in 2006. Participants Individuals (n = 230,730) admitted to a NH in 2006 without a prior NH stay and with a follow-up Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment completed 30 days or more after admission. Measurements The relationship between experiencing a fall noted on the MDS assessment and NH characteristics (e.g., staffing, profit and chain status, religious affiliation, hospital-based facility status, number of beds, presence of a special care unit, funding) was examined, adjusting for NH resident characteristics. Results Twenty-one percent of this cohort (n = 47,750) had experienced at least one fall in the NH at the time of the MDS assessment, which was completed for newly admitted NH residents who had at least a 30-day stay. NHs with higher certified nursing assistant (CNA) staffing had lower rates of falls (adjusted odds ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval = 0.95-0.99). Conclusion For newly admitted NH residents, NHs with higher CNA staffing had a lower fall rate. In an effort to maximize fall prevention efforts, further research is needed to understand the relationship between CNA staffing and falls in this NH population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)939-945
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society
Volume60
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • falls
  • nursing home
  • quality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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