Accidents in Hospitalised Children: A Retrospective Study in a Paediatric Research Hospital in Northern Italy

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Aim The aim of our study was to assess accidents in hospitalised children and define the main features of paediatric patients at risk for accidents. Methods Data were collected using the medical reports of hospitalised children who experienced accidents provided by the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E) of the "G. Gaslini" Research Hospital in Genoa between 2003 and 2006 (in those years, the institutional procedure for hospitalized children who accidentally hurt themselves was to refer them to the A&E). Results Accidents involving hospitalised children, were estimated to be 814 out of the total number of admissions between 2003 and 2006 (1.1%). The rate of accidents in children was highest between 1.00 pm and 8.00 pm. (338 events, equal to 41.5%). This phenomenon mostly involved children between 1 and 3 years of age (338 cases, equal to 41.5%). Falling out of bed was found to be the most frequent accident (209 cases, equal to 25.7%). Conclusions We found elements that were useful for the risk assessment and management of accidental injuries in hospitalized children. Such elements allowed our research team to design a project that allowed to improve both the quality of care and patient safety.

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