Benefits and risks of non-slip socks in hospitals: a rapid review.
ageing
fall prevention physiotherapy
falls
grip socks
hospitals
non-slip socks
traction socks
Journal
International journal for quality in health care : journal of the International Society for Quality in Health Care
ISSN: 1464-3677
Titre abrégé: Int J Qual Health Care
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9434628
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
09 Apr 2021
09 Apr 2021
Historique:
received:
29
11
2020
revised:
01
03
2021
accepted:
23
03
2021
pubmed:
24
3
2021
medline:
29
7
2021
entrez:
23
3
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Non-slip socks are sometimes used in an attempt to prevent falls in hospitals despite limited evidence of benefit. We critique the current literature on their risks, benefits and effects. A rapid review was conducted following the Cochrane Rapid Review Methods Group Guidelines. To be included, studies needed to have data on single or multifactorial interventions that used non-slip socks in hospitals or their safety, risks or effects in a laboratory setting. Six electronic databases were searched: Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Cochrane, Allied and Medical Health Database (AMED) and Proquest Central. Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Nine used non-slip socks as an intervention in hospitals. Three assessed their effects in laboratory settings. Two reported risks in relation to bacterial transfer. Most studies that used non-slip socks to prevent hospital falls had negative or equivocal results and were of comparatively low method quality, with a high risk of bias. Two of the laboratory tests reported traction socks to be no safer than walking barefoot and to have similar slip resistance. The laboratory studies had a low risk of bias and showed that bacteria can sometimes be acquired from socks. Non-slip socks have the potential to carry an infection control risk that requires careful management. There was no strong or conclusive evidence that they prevent hospital falls.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Non-slip socks are sometimes used in an attempt to prevent falls in hospitals despite limited evidence of benefit. We critique the current literature on their risks, benefits and effects.
METHODS
METHODS
A rapid review was conducted following the Cochrane Rapid Review Methods Group Guidelines. To be included, studies needed to have data on single or multifactorial interventions that used non-slip socks in hospitals or their safety, risks or effects in a laboratory setting. Six electronic databases were searched: Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Cochrane, Allied and Medical Health Database (AMED) and Proquest Central.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Nine used non-slip socks as an intervention in hospitals. Three assessed their effects in laboratory settings. Two reported risks in relation to bacterial transfer. Most studies that used non-slip socks to prevent hospital falls had negative or equivocal results and were of comparatively low method quality, with a high risk of bias. Two of the laboratory tests reported traction socks to be no safer than walking barefoot and to have similar slip resistance. The laboratory studies had a low risk of bias and showed that bacteria can sometimes be acquired from socks.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Non-slip socks have the potential to carry an infection control risk that requires careful management. There was no strong or conclusive evidence that they prevent hospital falls.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33755121
pii: 6183310
doi: 10.1093/intqhc/mzab057
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of International Society for Quality in Health Care. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.