PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - S Levene
AU  - G Bonfield
TI  - Accidents on hospital wards.
AID  - 10.1136/adc.66.9.1047
DP  - 1991 Sep 01
TA  - Archives of Disease in Childhood
PG  - 1047--1049
VI  - 66
IP  - 9
4099  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/66/9/1047.short
4100  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/66/9/1047.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child1991 Sep 01; 66
AB  - Eight hospitals reported 781 non-iatrogenic accidents occurring to patients and visitors under 16 years of age during an 18 month period up to October 1989. Accidents more often involved boys and children aged 3 to 5 years old. Falls from a height, slips, and striking accidents were common by day and falls by night. A total of 41% of accidents to inpatients occurred when parents were present. Only three accidents were serious. Altogether 27% involved beds and cots, and only one consequent injury was more than minor. Data collected routinely in case of medicolegal action can be presented in a form that may facilitate preventative work. Potentially remediable causes for concern include falls from beds and cots and the use of makeshift equipment.