Wheelchair falls: 5 years of data from a level I trauma center.
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of trauma nursing : the official journal of the Society of Trauma Nurses
Abstract
Falling from a wheelchair can result in a serious injury. Our report details injuries sustained by 30 individuals who fell from a wheelchair and presented to our level I trauma center over 5 years. Most fall victims (60%) were older than 65 years. The most common injuries were traumatic brain injury, femur fractures, and concussion. The most serious injuries were traumatic brain injuries and a vertebral fracture with resultant spinal cord injury. In the trauma setting, practitioners discharging patients using wheelchairs should be aware of this mechanism of injury and should provide education to ensure proper fit and use of the device.
First Page
98
Last Page
102
DOI
10.1097/JTN.0b013e3181ac920e
Publication Date
4-1-2009
Recommended Citation
Opalek JM, Graymire VL, Redd D. Wheelchair falls: 5 years of data from a level I trauma center. J Trauma Nurs. 2009 Apr-Jun;16(2):98-102. doi: 10.1097/JTN.0b013e3181ac920e. PMID: 19543019.