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Fall Risk Assessment

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Fall Risk Assessment
How Study to be Conducted
This study will focus on protecting patients from falls and fall-related injuries after stroke. At first I would identify the patients who are at great risk of fall currently and after going back to the community. I will use the Morse Fall Risk Assessment (MFA) to initially identify fall risk patients in my unit. In fact at Acute Rehab Unit all patients are considered to be at high risk of fall, there is no question about stroke patients. CDC’s Injury Center has created a tool kit, called STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents Deaths and Injuries). It is an algorithm for a fall risk assessment and interventions, designed for the health care providers to assess the risk of falling among people aged 65 years and older. I …show more content…
The study will be longitudinal, conducted for 6 months post discharge. Extensive education on fall prevention will be given to patient and their family members or caregiver. A self-evaluation survey question will be completed by the patient at the beginning of the rehab therapy, and one will be completed prior to discharge, to evaluate the progress of their ability to function independently as well as effectiveness of the therapy. A follow-up phone interview will be conducted every three months until six months to evaluate the progress of their mobility and compliance with the education provided. Home health nurse and home physical therapy will follow-up after discharge for few more sessions to get them stronger. They will also reinforce the …show more content…
Operational Definition
MFS (Morse Fall Scale): It is a tool used for rapid identification of fall risk of the patients on admission. It has six items on which patients are scored: history of falling; presence of secondary diagnosis; use of ambulatory aids such as cane, walker, crutches, administration of intravenous therapy, type of gait; and mental status. MFS is one of the most widely used fall risk assessment scales. It is a reliable and valid measure of fall risk. The scores 0-24 is considered low risk for fall, scores 25-44 is moderate, and 45 and higher is considered as high risk for fall MFS.
STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents Deaths and Injuries): It is a tool kit designed by the Injury Center of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is an algorithm for a fall risk assessment and interventions, designed for the health care providers to assess the risk of falling among people aged 65 years and
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