Introduction: Patient safety represents a serious public health issue worldwide and it is crucial when it comes to quality healthcare. Despite the professionalism of healthcare staff, errors or undesired events, termed as safety incidents, can occur during patient care. Among the most frequently recorded safety incidents are patient falls. In order to reduce the number of falls, it is essential to understand the causes and methods for their prevention. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify, through a literature review, the most common causes or risk factors leading to falls in hospitalized patients and to explore effective methods and interventions that nurses can use in preventing falls. Methods: A descriptive method was used through a review of professional and scientific literature. Literature gathering took place using online search engines such as COBISS, PubMed, and Google Scholar, as well as through the online portal of the Digital Library of the University of Ljubljana (DiKUL), from March to June 2023. We reviewed 31 articles, of which 14 were deemed most suitable and utilized for analysis in our research. Results: Among the most common risk factors for falls are a history of falls, age over 65, and length of hospitalization. The patient's health condition, such as diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypotension, also significantly influences the occurrence of falls. In addition to the patient's condition, risk factors may also be related to their environment and the organizational composition or functioning of the hospital itself. We found that falls can be prevented or at least their number reduced. An effective measure proved to be a fall prevention model based on the use of the »Fall TIPS« poster. Balance-improving exercises, additional education for nurses, and prevention of risk factors such as slippery floors, poor lighting, and the use of safety rails also contribute positively. Discussion and conclusion: Fall prevention is a complex process. The number and education level of nursing staff significantly influence the quality of work and patient safety. Patient falls represent a significant portion of safety incidents occurring in healthcare, making their prevention crucial for improving the quality of healthcare delivery.
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