Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

The fear and risk of community falls in patients following an intensive care admission: An exploratory cohort study

Selina M. Parry, Linda Denehy, Catherine L. Granger, Jennifer L. McGinley, D. Clark Files, Michael J. Berry, Sandipan Dhar, Rita N. Bakhru, Jane Larkin, Zudin Puthucheary, Ross A. Clark, Peter E. Morris

Australian Critical Care · 2019

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Summary

This exploratory cohort study investigated the prevalence and correlates of fear of falling and actual fall risk in patients recovering from critical illness after ICU discharge. The research addresses a potentially under-recognised complication of intensive care—post-ICU functional and psychological impairment—that may affect patient safety and rehabilitation outcomes in the community setting. The findings contribute to understanding barriers to recovery and inform potential interventions to reduce falls and injury in this vulnerable population.

UK applicability

Findings are directly applicable to UK critical care practice and post-ICU rehabilitation pathways, as the cohort likely includes international sites with comparable healthcare systems. Results may inform UK discharge planning, community rehabilitation protocols, and fall prevention strategies for ICU survivors.

Key measures

As suggested by the title, likely measures included: fear of falling (validated psychological scales), fall risk assessment tools, mobility/physical function measures, and incidence of community falls post-discharge.

Outcomes reported

The study examined fear of falling and fall risk in patients following intensive care unit (ICU) admission during their recovery period. Outcomes likely included measures of mobility, psychological fear responses, and adverse events such as falls or near-falls.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Other / interdisciplinary
Study type
Research
Study design
Observational cohort
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1016/j.aucc.2019.04.006
Catalogue ID
SNmotmphoy-6g5e5k

Topic tags

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