Toileting-related Falls at Night in Hospitalised Patients: The Role of Nocturia

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of toileting-related falls in hospitalised older people.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of falls related to night-time toileting in patients 60 years or over in a tertiary hospital during a one-year period.

Results: Overall 34% of falls were related to toileting with at least 44% of these falls occurring during the night. Toilet-related falls peaked between 11 pm and 1 am, a period that coincides with maximum supine-induced diuresis. Almost half of night falls occurred at the bedside. In 80% of night toileting-related falls, patients were mobilising without the recommended level of assistance. Half of all patients had no strategies for toileting documented in their care plan.

Conclusion: Findings support screening for nocturia in older inpatients and implementation of strategies to reduce both the need for toileting at night and risk factors for falling.