The Cost of Serious Patient Fall-Related Injuries at Hospitals in Turkey: A Matched Case-Control Study

Abstract

Patient falls cause economic loss in hospitals, as well as patient injuries. This study aimed to calculate the additional hospital cost and length of stay (LOS) due to fall-related serious injuries and to identify the determining factors for both outcomes. A matched case-control design was used in the study. It was conducted with a case group of 39 patients and a control group of 39 patients in 28 hospitals in İzmir, Turkey. The additional hospital cost and LOS due to fall-related serious injuries were calculated to be US$3,302.60 and 14.61 days, respectively. Precautionary initiatives for the injurious falls can prevent patients from getting injured and avoid increases in cost and LOS due to these injuries.