 Falls among hospital patients are a persistent problem, with 2.3 to 7 falls occurring in U.S. hospitals every 1000 patient days. Approximately 30-48 percent of these falls result in injury and 5 to 10 percent of them result in serious injury. Fall related deaths occurred at a rate of 46.2 per 100,000 in 2003. Hospital falls affect both young and old patients and many of them occur when the patient is alone or involved in elimination-related activities. Falls that result in injury may lead to an extended hospitalization and increased costs. Patients who fall and sustain injury are reported to have hospital charges of more than 4,200 higher than patients who do not fall. Hourly nursing rounds have been shown to decrease falls by 52. 