A CROSS-SECTION INVESTIGATION OF FALL INCIDENTS IN CRITICAL CARE UNIT IN TERTIARY SETTING OF PESHAWAR PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Falls in intensive care unit is a major public health concern as they lead to catastrophic injuries and consequences. Critically sick individuals are more susceptible due to limited mobility, drugs side effects and physiological instability. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the frequency of falls occurrence, investigate relevant clinical and environmental variables, and analyzed related outcomes in intensive care units patients admitted to tertiary settings. Materials and methods: A cross sectional quantitative study was conducted from January to June 2025 at three tertiary care hospital approved by IRB of Iqra National University, Peshawar. Purposive sampling technique was used and sample size was 169 ICU patients. Data was gathered using standardized and verified questionnaire and analyzed (descriptive statistic and chi square test) via SPSS version 30. Results: The study found a significant incidence of falls among elderly individuals Age p=0.014, and females accounted for 59%cases, medication usage (p=0.023), vision impairment ( p=0.009), gender (p=0.013) were also significant risk variable for falls. Environmental factors such as poor illumination and worker breaks were also identified as crucial. Clinically, fall resulted in injuries such as bone factors (mean=3.08) and head trauma (mean=2.95). Interestingly mobility assistance utilization was statistically significant (p=0.070), indicating the need for good training and monitoring Conclusion: Falls among ICU patients are complex and represented major to their safety. The study emphasize the of ICU specific fall prevention method prevention that on continuous monitoring, environmental changes, and staff education. Moreover triangulation an d a longitudinal study is suggested for future research work with large sample for in-depth generalizability.