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Patient Falls with Injury

Patient Falls with Injury

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Hospitalized Inpatient Fall with Injury

Falls commonly happen in the hospital because it is an unfamiliar environment presenting a higher risk for falling.  In the United States, falls with injury was a leading cause of death. Annually there are over 800,000 patients hospitalized for an injury from a fall, often for a head injury or hip fracture. A patient fall in the hospital may result in serious injury with possible life threatening consequences (CDC). 

According to National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI), a hospitalized patient fall is a sudden, unintentional descent, with or without injury to the patient, that results in the patient coming to rest on the floor, on or against another surface or on an object.  We will assess you for your risk for falls and injury from a fall. To reduce falls, we are here for you and will know you are at risk for a fall.  We will implement fall risk reducing interventions to prevent injury. 

What can cause a fall?

Below is a list of risk factors identified through research as contributing to falling (CDC).

  • Lower body weakness
  • Difficulties with walking and balance
  • Use of medicines, such as tranquilizers, sedatives or antidepressants
  • Vision problems
  • Foot pain or poor footwear
  • Environmental hazards such as clutter or uneven surfaces

How is The Queen’s Health Systems Performing Compared to the Nation?

Inpatient falls with injury is reported out to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) to evaluate nursing care at the unit level (per 1,000 patient days). The data is compared to similar hospitals and units on a national level.  We learn from the data and make improvements to provide our patients with the highest quality care. The Queen’s Health Systems is committed to reducing hospitalized patient falls with injury.

Overall Impatient Falls with Moderate or Greater Injury per 1000 Patient Days. FYTD26 has a mean of 0.06

The line chart shows inpatient falls with moderate or greater injury per 1000 patient days from July 2024 to Dec 2025 at The Queen’s Medical Center. The target rate is less than or equal to 0.06. FY 25 saw a ratio of 0.05 while FYTD 26 saw a ratio of 0.06.

FY 25 FYTD 26 FY26 Target Performance Measurement Period Target
Impatient Falls with Moderate or Greater Injury
0.05 (Jul-Jun)
0.06 (Jul-Dec)
(04/01 – 06/30)
At or below national standard or median in 6 of 7 HACs
≤ 0.06

Manamana

Line graph showing Impatient Falls with Moderate or Greater Injury per 1000 Patient Days for Queens Manama

The line chart shows inpatient falls with moderate or greater injury per 1000 patient days from July 2024 to Dec 2025 at The Queen’s Medical Center – Manamana/Punchbowl. The target rate is less than or equal to 0.06. Per month the hospital rate fluctuates, but overall for FY 25 there is a rate of 0.05 and for FYTD 26 there is a rate of 0.04.

West Oahu

Line graph showing Impatient Falls with Moderate or Greater Injury per 1000 Patient Days for Queens West Oahu

The line chart shows Inpatient falls with moderate or greater injury per 1000 patient days from July 2024 to Dec 2025 at The Queen’s Medical Center – West Oahu. The target rate is less than or equal to 0.06. Many months, especially in FY 25 see no incident, but the ones that do see a high rate around 0.3. There was an increase in the rate from FY 25 at 0.05 to FYTD 26 at 0.15.

QNHCH

Line graph showing Impatient Falls with Moderate or Greater Injury per 1000 Patient Days for the Queens North Hawaii Community Hospital

The line chart shows Inpatient falls with moderate or greater injury per 1000 patient days from July 2024 to Dec 2025 at The Queen’s Medical Center – North Hawaii Community Hospital. The target rate less than or equal to is 0.06. Between FY 25 and FYTD 26, there was only 1 incident that occured in March 2025 which had a rate of 1.72.

Molokai

Line graph showing Impatient Falls with Moderate or Greater Injury per 1000 Patient Days for Queens Molokai

The line chart shows Inpatient falls with moderate or greater injury per 1000 patient days from July 2024 to Dec 2025 at The Queen’s Medical Center – Molokai. The target rate is less than or equal to 0.06. Between FY 25 and FYTD 26, there was no incident.

Source: Injury Falls from RL Solutions (Moderate, Major, Death), by Patient Classification at the time of the event, excludes intentional falls
Inpatient: Pt Days from Query – ADT Patient Classification Description:  Inpatient, Surgical Admit
Target = *NDNQI (National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators, bed size >=500) Median 2022 Q3 – 2023 Q2

What can we do together to prevent a fall with injury?

To reduce falls, we will work with you to reduce risk of falls and aim to keep you safe.  Please use your call light to notify staff when you may need assistance. Non-skid socks will be provided for your comfort and safety.  Let us know if you use a walking aid (walker, cane, etc.) at home to foster function and safe movement.

Often falls occur when patients get out of bed to go to the bathroom. We are here to assist you safely to the bathroom. For your safety, there may be times when a staff member will remain with you in the bathroom.  A bed or chair alarm may be used to alert staff of patient movement. Use of a gait belt may be used to help us safely move with you.  Staff will regularly check-in or round with you to help you move better and meet your needs. We are honored to care for you, to keep you safe, and to support your physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.