A recent study found emergency room visits are often due to infection-related falls. Researchers analyzed 161 patients who visited the emergency room because they fell and were then diagnosed with a coexisting infection, according to News-Medical.
Here are five takeaways:
1. The findings revealed bloodstream, urinary and respiratory infection are the most common causes of infection-related falls. Of the patients, 44.1 percent had a urinary tract infection, 39.8 percent had a bloodstream infection, 23 percent had a respiratory infection and 5.6 percent had a heart valve infection.
2. Infection-related falls were not only found in the elderly. Of the patients in the study, 20 percent of infection-related falls were among patients younger than 65.
3. Other studies indicate infection causes 20 percent to 45 percent of falls.
4. Often, family members, caregivers and some healthcare providers do not recognize the link between infection and falls.
5. Infection may cause low blood pressure, dizziness or add confusion in patients with dementia, leading patients to fall. Many patients in the study displayed few if any signs of infection.
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