Though many people have likely heard of the dangers that a serious fall can pose, it is far too easy to think of it as something that only happens to the elderly or disabled.
However, falls can happen to anyone at any time, and for any reason. In fact, people at hospitals are particularly susceptible to fall incidents, often due to negligence by staff.
Understanding damage from falls
The CDC discusses the impacting factors of falls. First, the physical state of the fall victim has a huge role to play in how the fall affects them. A more frail person will often suffer from worse effects, while a healthier or more robust individual will often bounce back easier.
Of course, if someone is in a hospital in the first place, they are often not in peak physical condition and thus may be more susceptible to serious harm.
It is also a misconception that victims need to fall from a great height to do significant damage. Simply falling on a hard floor – which all hospitals have – is enough to cause serious harm to many.
The impact on mobility
So how do falls affect mobility, then? Simply put, a fall can easily break any part of a person’s hips or legs, and could even impact their arms or spine. These damages can make it difficult for the victim to move.
Recovery time is often slow, and complications like infection could hinder progress. Nerve damage or spinal damage may make it difficult or even impossible for a victim to regain full mobility, too. This is why hospital falls can make such a serious impact.