The Tension Between Promoting Mobility and Preventing Falls in the Hospital

When older adults are hospitalized, there is an inherent tension between preventing falls and promoting mobility. In response to public and professional attention to medical errors, federal policy and, in turn, hospital culture have strongly prioritized preventing falls, with potential unintended consequences for patient mobility, functional ability, and well-being.¹ It has been known for years, however, that patient immobility in the hospital contributes to undesirable outcomes, such as increased rates of functional decline and institutionalization.