Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore characteristics of and risk factors for accidental inpatient falls. Methods: Participants were classifiedas fallers or non-fallers based on the fall history of inpatients in a tertiary hospital in Seoul between June 2014 and May 2015. Data on fallswere obtained from the fall report forms and data on risk factors were obtained from the electronic nursing records. Characteristics of fallersand non-fallers were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Risk factors for falls were identified using univariate analyses and logistic regressionanalysis. Results: Average length of stay prior to the fall was 21.52 days and average age of fallers was 61.37 years. Most falls occurred duringthe night shifts and in the bedroom and were due to sudden leg weakness during ambulation. It was found that gender, BMI, physical problemssuch elimination, gait, vision and hearing and medications such as sleeping pills, antiarrhythmics, vasodilators, and muscle relaxant were statisticallysignificant factors affecting falls. Conclusion: The findings show that there are significant risk factors such as BMI and history of surgerywhich are not part of fall assessment tools. There are also items on fall assessment tools which are not found to be significant such as mentalstatus, emotional unstability, dizziness, and impairment of urination. Therefore, these various risk factors should be examined in the fall risk assessmentsand these risk factors should be considered in the development of fall assessment tools.