[Falls of paediatric in- and out-patients in hospital: an Italian survey].

Falls can be considered as the most relevant accident for frequency and severity among in-hospital paediatric accidents (0-18 years). There is still a lack of a common framework in defining and categorizing paediatric falls across European and Italian paediatric centres. The aim of this survey was to explore key aspects of paediatric in-hospital falls in a number of Italian paediatric facilities. In 2010, a questionnaire was sent to 15 paediatric centres selected through convenience sampling. Fourteen questionnaires (93.3%) were returned, six centres (42.9%) define clearly the term "fall", while 8 (57.1%) declare to track falls frequency; three (21.4%) trace the consequences of falls. Four centres (28.6%) track the impact of falls on care plans. Usually information on falls and on children are collected (10 centres, 71.4%) and reporting procedures are frequently in place (10, 71.4%); whereas, fall management procedures (5 centres, 35.7%) are rarely in place. Five centres (35.7%) use a paediatric fall risk assessment tool (devised by the centre itself, and not validated); none of the implemented prevention measures for high-risk patients evaluate effectiveness. Data show a lack or no consistency of paediatric fall-related practices in Italian paediatric facilities, this phenomenon its impact on care plans and healthcare costs is therefore difficult to evaluate, as well as making a comparison between facilities. Collaboration among major paediatric centres should be encouraged in order to establish a common framework and share approaches.