Factors Influencing Patients at Risk of Falling in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Literature Review
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Abstract
Fall risk in patients within the Emergency Department (ED) is a significant patient safety concern, particularly among the elderly population with multiple comorbidities and concurrent medication use (polypharmacy). This study is a literature review selected through a rigorous double-blind process, resulting in six articles published between 2021 and 2025. The articles were retrieved from ProQuest, PubMed, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using relevant keywords: “emergency department,” “fall risk,” “factor,” and “influencing.” Article quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) appraisal tool. The most dominant factors influencing fall risk were a history of previous falls and polypharmacy. Additional contributing factors included cognitive impairment, dementia, mobility disorders, use of assistive devices, healthcare provider negligence in conducting fall risk screening, and limited human resources in the ED. History of falls and polypharmacy can serve as primary indicators in early fall risk screening in the ED. Implementing risk-based screening and systematic preventive interventions is crucial for reducing fall incidents in emergency settings.
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