Exploring Chinese family caregiver vigilance in preventing hospitalized children falls from the attention network theory perspective: a qualitative study

Falls among hospitalized children frequently occur when they are accompanied by family caregivers, posing a significant safety concern. This study aims to utilize the attention network theory (ANT) to understand how Chinese family caregivers allocate their attention and maintain vigilance in preventing falls among hospitalized children, providing evidence for reducing the incidence of such events. A qualitative research approach was adopted, incorporating purposive sampling and field notes for data collection. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using a self-designed outline. The interview focused on how family caregivers identify and respond to environmental and behavioral risk factors that may lead to falls. The collected data were systematically analyzed using Dedoose software to identify key themes and patterns. A total of 17 interviewees were included in this study. The family caregivers comprised 7 mothers, 6 fathers, 3 grandmothers, and 1 nanny. Four themes were extracted: low alertness; orienting deviation; insufficient information reception and inadequate execution. Family caregivers have a low level of vigilance in preventing falls among hospitalized children, and they do not pay sufficient attention to the prevention of such incidents, with attention bias existing. Medical staff should change the attention allocation of family caregivers through multiple educational ways to reduce the occurrence of falls.