Abstract: PUB185
Falls in Hemodialysis Centers
Session Information
Category: Dialysis
- 801 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis
Author
- Eltayeb, Elhadi Ahmed Elsheikh, North Riyadh Hemodialysis Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Background
25% of dialysis population fall every year; the outpatient HD center is a particularly high risk- location for falls this is attributed to high prevalence of old age and comorbidities, HD treatment related complications, and frailty.
Falls remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and contribute to a substantial burden to annual health care costs.
A serious fall injury can precipitate functional decline, loss of independence, nursing home placement, and death.
Methods
North Riyadh hemodialysis center is outpatient dialysis facility which looks after 300 hemodialysis patient.
We noted on our hemodialysis patients increasing number of falls occurred at the community level.
We extended our routine falls screening tool to assess the frequency and outcomes of out of center falls over twelve months’ period.
Our falls screening tools document type of injuries sustained, hospital admission and also include measures to reduce impact and risk of falls.
Results
The majority of reported falls occurred at out of center (Fig 1).
Out of center falls are common in males (64%),elderly patients (47%), patients with multiple comorbidities, frailty,
hemodialysis vintage >5 yrs. (50%), previous falls, and polypharmacy.
Majority of patients sustained soft tissue injuries (45%),fractures (14%), and head injuries (14%).
21 of patients required hospital admission. On further follow up 12% of patients died of other medical causes.
Conclusion
Falls among prevalent hemodialysis population are under reported,
On our HD population the majority of falls taking place at the community level.
Identifying patient with high risk of falls may result in
measures to reduce the impact on this vulnerable hemodialysis population.
We recommend outpatient falls screen tools to record falls at the community level and have protocols on falls prevention including mulitargeted multidisciplinary approach, staffand patient education are important in prevention and reducing impact of falls