An interdisciplinary momentary confluence of events model to explain, minimize, and prevent pediatric patient falls and fall-related injuries.

PURPOSE

This article reviews theoretical, empirical, and clinical evidence to support the hypothesis that pediatric patient fall episodes are rarely predictable; rather, falls and fall-related injuries occur during the momentary convergence of child, parent, and caregiver human factors, and environmental, biomechanical, and system factors.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose an interdisciplinary pediatric fall and injury prevention model to guide future research toward interventions to prevent or minimize pediatric patient falls and injuries.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

When falls and near miss falls occur, nurses' detailed descriptions of each model component are critical to discovery of more effective pediatric fall and injury prevention methods.