Ask ECRI: COVID-19 and Increased Falls Rates

A member recently asked us whether falls rates have increased during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (because of changes in staffing rates or due to visitation restrictions) and whether ECRI recommends interventions to address the issue.

Many studies have indicated an association between falls and isolation or lack of physical activity, both of which have been unfortunate effects of precautions taken to combat COVID-19. Restricted visitation in hospitals and care facilities and isolation practices for infection control have both led to a decrease in physical movement...