A new approach to preventing falls with injuries.

A LTHOUGH RESEARCH has suggested that approximately one-third of the 700 000 to 1 million patient falls that occur annually in US hospitals could be prevented,1,2 reducing falls with injuries is a persistent patient safety challenge. Falls can result in patient injury and death and place an increased economic burden on patients and the health care system.1,3,4 Longer hospital stays and additional treatment necessary after falls contribute to a 61% increase in patient care costs,5 although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services limits reimbursement for falls that result in injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and intracranial injuries.6