Overview
Falls within the context of the report referred to falling on the same level (e.g., sidewalk), from one level to another (e.g., stairs), and falling from an object (e.g., ladder, wheelchair, toilet). Falls tend to be more frequent and severe among seniors as 91% of all fall-related deaths occurred in those 65 years and above and the majority of fall-related deaths occur in the home (67%) or in residential institutions (20%) (e.g., long term-care facilities). Falls were responsible for 30% of all injury related emergency department visits, 45% of injury-related hospitalizations, and 20% of all injury related deaths. It was further demonstrated that injuries incurred as a result of a fall are increasing in Windsor and Essex County with a particularly high rate occurring in the City of Windsor, Municipality of Leamington, and Town of Kingsville.
Key Facts
- Falls were the leading cause of injury in Windsor and Essex County.
- Nearly 1 in 3 injury-related Emergency Department (ED) visits were the result of a fall.
- Those hospitalized as the result of a fall will spend an average of 8 days in the hospital.
- Between 2003 and 2013 the rate of emergency department visits for falls increased by 11%.
- There is an average of 50 mortalities annually attributed to fall-related injuries representing approximately 108 years of life lost each year in Windsor and Essex County.
Causes of Emergency Department Visits and Mortalities: Falls
|
Rank |
Cause of Emergency department visits* |
ED visits |
Cause of Mortality* |
Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Fall on same level from slipping, tripping and stumbling |
2,581 |
Unspecified fall |
94 |
|
2 |
Unspecified fall |
2,106 |
Other fall on same level (e.g., off toilet) |
64 |
|
3 |
Other fall on same level (e.g., off toilet) |
1,588 |
Fall on same level from slipping, tripping and stumbling |
27 |
|
4 |
Fall on and from stairs and steps |
1,175 |
Fall on and from stairs and steps |
24 |
|
5 |
Fall involving ice-skates, skis, roller-skates or skateboards |
373 |
Fall involving bed |
17 |
|
6 |
Other fall from one level to another (e.g., into cavity, hole, shaft, well) |
328 |
Fall involving chair |
7 |
|
7 |
Fall involving bed |
327 |
Fall involving wheelchair |
5 |
|
8 |
Fall involving chair |
222 |
Fall from, out of or through building or structure |
5 |
|
9 |
Fall involving wheelchair |
204 |
Fall on and from ladder |
<5 |
|
10 |
Fall on and from ladder |
184 |
Other fall from one level to another (e.g., into cavity, hole, shaft, well) |
<5 |
Source: Ambulatory Emergency External Cause [2014], Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO, Date Extracted: [Oct 22, 2015]. Death [2007-2011], Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO, Date Extracted: [Oct 22, 2015].
*The injury data are reported using the codes defined by the International Classification of Disease 10.
The main cause for fall-related emergency department visits include slips, trips, and stumbles on the same level (excluding snowy or icy surfaces). While a large amount of falls which cause injury are unspecified, it is demonstrated in the chart above that falls are the result of a wide range of factors which increase risk in older adults. High risk activities include toileting, use of stairs and steps, and getting in and out of a bed, chair, or wheelchair. Also of note is a relatively high rate of emergency department visits attributed to falls involving ice skates, skis, roller-skates, or skateboards which may suggest that there is a need to look beyond older adults when considering falls prevention strategies.
View the full Injury Profile of Windsor and Essex County here.