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Introducción: Las caídas son un problema de salud importante en ancianos institucionalizados debido a su alta morbimortalidad y a su relación con la calidad de vida futura. Objetivo: Analizar la incidencia de caídas, el perfil de los pacientes que las sufren e identificar las posibles causas y efectos. Valorar la eficacia de la intervención en pacientes seleccionados para evitar más caídas. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo en un centro de media y larga estancia durante 12 meses. La obtención de datos se hizo a través del parte de caídas. La Comisión de Caídas elaboró una hoja de recogida de datos mensuales. Resultados: Hubo 155 caídas de 80 pacientes, el 40% de los cuales presentó más de una caída. El 84,5% sucedió en pacientes con más de 70 años. Un 55,5% se producen en el dormitorio. El 42,7% de los pacientes deambulan de manera independiente. El 74,8% de los casos tenían prescritos sedantes centrales, fármacos psicoactivos y antihipertensivos. El 27,7% de los casos sufrieron caídas por pérdida de equilibrio y el 22,5% por realizar una actividad sin tener la capacidad necesaria. El porcentaje de fracturas fue del 1,9%. Conclusiones: Los mayores de 70 años con pérdida de capacidad física o cognitiva, que presentan una marcha independiente, que tienen prescritos fármacos sedantes centrales, fármacos psicoactivos o antihipertensivos y que ya han tenido una primera caída son aquellos que presentan en mayor riesgo de caídas. La habitación es el lugar donde más se producen. La intervención del fisioterapeuta en los casos seleccionados por la comisión de caídas fue altamente eficaz. Introduction: Falls are a major health problem in elderly institutionalised patients, due to the associated high morbidity and mortality rates and the impact on future quality of life. Objective: To analyse the incidence and patient profile for falls, and to identify potential causes and effects. We also assess the efficacy of intervention in selected patients in preventing further falls. Methods: We performed a prospective study at a long-term care centre for 12 months. Data were collected via fall reports. The falls committee drafted a monthly data collection form. Results: A total of 155 falls were recorded in 80 patients, with 40% presenting more than one fall. Patients aged over 70 years accounted for 84.5% of falls; 42.7% of patients are able to walk independently; 74.8% of patients had been prescribed sedatives or psychoactive, or antihypertensive drugs; 55.5% of falls occurred in the bedroom; 27.7% of falls were due to loss of balance and 22.5% were due to patients performing an activity for which they did not have the capacity. Fractures occurred in 1.9% of patients. Conclusions: Patients aged over 70 years, walking independently, receiving sedatives or psychoactive or antihypertensive drugs, and with history of falls were at greatest risk. The majority of falls occurred in the bedroom. Physiotherapy interventions were highly effective in cases selected by the falls committee.

Introduction Falls are a major health problem in elderly institutionalised patients, due to the associated high morbidity and mortality rates and the impact on future quality of life. Objective To analyse the incidence and patient profile for falls, and to identify potential causes and effects. We also assess the efficacy of intervention in selected patients in preventing further falls. Methods We performed a prospective study at a long-term care centre for 12 months. Data were collected via fall reports. The falls committee drafted a monthly data collection form. Results A total of 155 falls were recorded in 80 patients, with 40% presenting more than one fall. Patients aged over 70 years accounted for 84.5% of falls; 42.7% of patients are able to walk independently; 55.5% of falls occurred in the bedroom; 74.8% of patients had been prescribed sedatives or psychoactive, or antihypertensive drugs; 27.7% of falls were due to loss of balance and 22.5% were due to patients performing an activity for which they did not have the capacity. Fractures occurred in 1.9% of patients. Conclusions Patients aged over 70 years, walking independently, receiving sedatives or psychoactive or antihypertensive drugs, and with history of falls were at greatest risk. The majority of falls occurred in the bedroom. Physiotherapy interventions were highly effective in cases selected by the falls committee.