Patient falls in U.S. hospitals remain a persistent problem despite mitigation efforts. According to the latest Ascom report, there were 445,000 patient falls in 2018. This was an increase of more than 6,000 falls from the previous years. 

Falls can lead to further injury and even death for patients. An estimated 30 to 35 percent of falls result in a patient injury. And because these falls are considered preventable events, hospitals are not reimbursed. The average cost to hospitals is $14,000 in unreimbursed patient care. Patient falls cost U.S. hospitals an estimated $2 billion in 2018 alone. 

Falls can be caused by a variety of factors. Many falls in hospitals are the result of patients not waiting for a caregiver to arrive after they call for help. Other culprits can include improper cleaning, footwear and clutter. Floors and flooring materials contribute directly to more than 2 million fall injuries each year, according to an article on CleanLink. This includes wet, oily or contaminated surfaces, loose rugs and matting, spills, and weather.