Effectiveness of interventions for the assessment and prevention of falls in adult psychiatric patients: A systematic review.

Abstract

Review Questions/Objectives The objective of this review is to identify the best available evidence for the effectiveness of risk assessment tools designed to assess fall risk and reduce the incidence of falls in adult psychiatric patients. Specifically, the review seeks to answer the following:  How effective are the risk assessment tools for falls in reducing fall rates in adult psychiatric patients?  How effective are the interventions undertaken in reducing the incidence of falls among adult psychiatric patients?  What are the most common characteristics of adult psychiatric patients who fall? Inclusion Criteria Types of Participants This review will consider all studies that include adults (19 to 64 years) diagnosed with mental illness according to any editions of the diagnostic manual of ICD (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems), or DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Types of Interventions This review will consider all studies that include interventions that assessed or minimized the risk of falling in adult psychiatric patients. Types of Outcome Measures The outcome measure of interest will be the number of patient falls during hospitalization