Does flooring type affect risk of injury in older in-patients?

Abstract

This paper looks at the role of carpeted and vinyl floors in relation to the injuries older patients receive when falling in hospital. A random sample of 225 accident forms were analysed retrospectively and separated into two patient groups. Out of a group of patients falling on carpet, only 17% sustained injuries. In the group of patients who fell on vinyl, 46% sustained injuries. Statistical analysis indicated that there was a less than 1% probability that the reduced rate of injury for those patients who fell on carpets was owing to chance. The implications of these findings on the type of flooring provided in hospital wards for older people are discussed, and suggestions are made for further research.