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Abstract
Falls in the ICU are multifaceted, affecting patients of all ages. Historically, falls have been associated with patients in the hospital environment, but fall rates after discharge and readmission rates following a fall are now areas of concern. Recent innovations to prevent risks related to sedation and immobility in the hospital have revealed their impact on ICU patients and fall risk. Risk factors for falls in the ICU relate to length of stay and acuity-related care requirements, such as mechanical ventilation, sedation, and prolonged immobilization. Evidence-based fall prevention includes screening tools, prevention bundles/programs, and implementing clinical practice guidelines.
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Kuhnow J, Hoben M, Weeks LE, Barber B, Estabrooks CA. Factors Associated with Falls in Canadian Long Term Care Homes: a Retrospective Cohort Study. Can Geriatr J 2022; 25:328-335. [PMID: 36505912 PMCID: PMC9684024 DOI: 10.5770/cgj.25.623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Half of Canadians living in long-term care (LTC) homes will fall each year resulting in consequences to independence, quality of life, and health. The objective in this study was to analyze factors that contribute to, or are protective against, falls in Canadian LTC homes. Methods We analyzed of a retrospective cohort of a stratified random sample of Canadian LTC homes in Western Canada from 2011-2017. We accessed variables from the RAI-MDS 2.0 to assess the association of the dependent variable "fall within the last 31-180 days" with multiple independent factors, using generalized estimating equation models. Results A total of 28,878 LTC residents were analyzed. Factors found to increase the odds of falling were other fractures (OR 3.64 [95% confidence interval; CI 3.27, 4.05]), hip fractures (OR 3.58 [3.27, 3.93]), moderately impaired cognitive skills (OR 2.45 [2.28, 2.64]), partial support to balance standing (OR 2.44 [2.30, 2.57]), wandering (OR 2.31 [2.18, 2.44]). Conclusion A range of factors identified were associated with falls for people living in LTC homes. Individual physical ability represented the largest group of independent factors contributing to falls. Residents who experience any fracture or an acute change in behaviour, mobility, or activities of daily living (ADL) should be considered at increased risk of falls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Kuhnow
- Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
| | - Matthias Hoben
- School of Health Policy & Management, York University, Toronto, ON
| | - Lori E. Weeks
- School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
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Gutiérrez-Valencia M, Leache L, Saiz LC. [Review of the validity of fall risk assessment scales in hospitalised patients]. Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol 2022; 57:186-194. [PMID: 35589476 DOI: 10.1016/j.regg.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Falls in the hospital setting are a major health problem due to their high prevalence and their physical, functional, psychological or economic consequences. Since 1990s, different fall risk assessment scales have been developed to detect high-risk patients, which are also applied in the hospital setting. The aim of this review is to analyse the validity of different scales for assessing fall risk in adults in the hospital setting, especially in elderly patients. Following a literature search in April 2021, 36 primary studies were found that analysed the validity of the Downton, Morse, HendrichII, Stratify and Tinetti scales. Meta-analyses of sensitivity and specificity showed a high heterogeneity that does not allow recommending a specific tool that can be considered as standard in acute inpatients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gutiérrez-Valencia
- Sección de Innovación y Organización, Servicio Navarro de Salud-Osasunbidea, Pamplona, España; IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, España.
| | - Leire Leache
- Sección de Innovación y Organización, Servicio Navarro de Salud-Osasunbidea, Pamplona, España
| | - Luis Carlos Saiz
- IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, España
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Sena ACD, Alvarez AM, Nunes SFL, Costa NPD. Nursing care related to fall prevention among hospitalized elderly people: an integrative review. Rev Bras Enferm 2021; 74Suppl 2:e20200904. [PMID: 34231780 DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to identify scientific productions on nursing care related to fall risk prevention among hospitalized elderly people. METHODS an integrative literature review from 2015 to 2019 in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, BDENF, SciELO and CINAHL databases, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The keywords were elderly, hospitalization, accidents due to falls, nursing care. RESULTS thirty-three publications were analyzed. The synthesis of the studies resulted in the categories: Clinical nursing assessments to prevent falls among hospitalized elderly people; Fall risk factors for elderly people; Fall risk prevention strategies for elderly people. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS it was found that the scientific knowledge produced on nursing care related to fall risk prevention for hospitalized elderly people evidences the clinical assessment, risk factors and strategies such as nursing care, contributing to foster self-care behavior and promotion security for elderly people.
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A Biopsychosocial Approach to Analyzing Inpatient Falls. JOURNAL OF ACUTE CARE PHYSICAL THERAPY 2020. [DOI: 10.1097/jat.0000000000000134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Evaluation of the Predictive Accuracy of the interRAI Falls Clinical Assessment Protocol, Scott Fall Risk Screen, and a Supplementary Falls Risk Assessment Tool Used in Residential Long-Term Care: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Can J Aging 2020; 39:521-532. [PMID: 32172692 DOI: 10.1017/s0714980820000021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Falls in residential long-term care (LTC) facilities continue to be a leading cause of injury for residents and cost for the health care system. Interdisciplinary clinical teams are responsible for assessing risk levels for their residents and developing appropriate care plans and interventions in response. This study compares the predictive accuracy of three separate fall risk assessment tools: the interRAI Falls Clinical Assessment Protocol (CAP), derived from the LTC Facility (LTCF) or Minimum Data Set (MDS) 2.0 assessments; the Scott Fall Risk Screen; and a modified Fall Risk Tool that was implemented as part of a provincial Fall Reduction Strategy in Nova Scotia. To conduct this retrospective cohort study, secondary data were collected from 1,553 LTC residents with interRAI assessments completed between March 1, 2015 and September 29, 2016, across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. For each resident, data were collected regarding the three fall risk assessments, along with fall incident data for use in sensitivity, specificity, and logistic regression analyses. This study found that although all three tools had limitations with sensitivity or specificity thresholds, the interRAI Falls CAP delivered the highest accuracy with a c-statistic of 0.673, compared with the Scott Fall Risk Screen at 0.529 and the modified Fall Risk Tool at 0.609. When diseases that have been established to be a risk factor for falls were added to the model, the overall accuracy of the interRAI Falls CAP combined with those covariates increased to 0.749. These results suggest that the best practice guidelines for fall risk assessment be revisited, and that the interRAI Falls CAP could potentially be updated to include certain diseases and controls for optimal predictive ability.
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Tse C, Esler V, Hewitt L, Davidson E. Do orthopaedic and neurosciences inpatients who are at risk of falls have best practice fall prevention strategies implemented during their acute inpatient hospitalization? Australas J Ageing 2019; 39:e410-e415. [PMID: 31749308 DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether inpatients identified as being at high risk for falls received fall prevention interventions as recommended in the Best Practice Guidelines for Australian Hospitals. METHODS This cross-sectional study examined medical record data from a convenience sample of inpatients admitted to orthopaedic and neurosciences wards (N = 100). Data were compared to the fall prevention recommendations. Percentages were used to describe compliance and independent samples t-tests to assess difference in adherence. RESULTS Data revealed that 45% and 62% of recommendations were implemented amongst inpatients on orthopaedic and neurosciences ward, respectively (P < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between orthopaedic inpatients at higher risk of falls and those with a greater length of stay [r(39) = .46, P = 0.003]. When analysed together, patients who were admitted following a fall had a lower percentage of fall prevention strategies implemented (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Implementation of fall prevention strategies is essential to target in the inpatient setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Tse
- Physiotherapy Department, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Victoria Esler
- Physiotherapy Department, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Lyndel Hewitt
- Physiotherapy Department, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Coledale Hospital, Coledale, NSW, Australia
| | - Edward Davidson
- Physiotherapy Department, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Coledale Hospital, Coledale, NSW, Australia
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Nagaraj G, Hullick C, Arendts G, Burkett E, Hill KD, Carpenter CR. Avoiding anchoring bias by moving beyond 'mechanical falls' in geriatric emergency medicine. Emerg Med Australas 2018; 30:843-850. [PMID: 30091183 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guruprasad Nagaraj
- Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carolyn Hullick
- Emergency Department, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Glenn Arendts
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ellen Burkett
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Keith D Hill
- School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher R Carpenter
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Castellini G, Demarchi A, Lanzoni M, Castaldi S. Fall prevention: is the STRATIFY tool the right instrument in Italian Hospital inpatient? A retrospective observational study. BMC Health Serv Res 2017; 17:656. [PMID: 28915808 PMCID: PMC5602910 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2583-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although several risk assessment tools are in use, uncertainties on their accuracy in detecting fall risk already exist. Choosing the most accurate tool for hospital inpatient is still a challenge for the organizations. We aimed to retrospectively assess the appropriateness of a fall risk prevention program with the STRATIFY assessment tool in detecting acute-care inpatient fall risk. METHODS Number of falls and near falls, occurred from January 2014 to March 2015, was collected through the incident reporting web-system implemented in the hospital's intranet. We reported whether the fall risk was assessed with the STRATIFY assessment tool and, if so, which was the judgement. Primary outcome was the proportion of inpatients identified as high risk of fall among inpatients who fell (True Positive Rate), and the proportion of inpatients identified as low-risk that experienced a fall howsoever (False Negative Rate). Characteristics of population and fall events were described among subgroups of low risk and high risk inpatients. RESULTS We collected 365 incident reports from 40 hospital units, 349 (95.6%) were real falls and 16 (4.4%) were near falls. The fall risk assessment score at patient's admission had been reported in 289 (79%) of the overall incident reports. Thus, 74 (20.3%) fallers were actually not assessed with the STRATIFY, even though the majority of them presented risk recommended to be assessed. The True Positive Rate was 35.6% (n = 101, 95% CI 30% - 41.1%). The False Negative Rate was 64.4% (n = 183, 95% CI 58.9%-70%) of fallers, nevertheless they incurred in a fall. The STRATIFY mean score was 1.3 ± 1.4; the median was 1 (IQQ 0-2). CONCLUSIONS The prevention program using only the STRATIFY tool was found to be not adequate to screen our inpatients population. The incorrect identification of patients' needs leads to allocate resources to erroneous priorities and to untargeted interventions, decreasing healthcare performance and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Castellini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133, Milan, Italy. .,Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, IRCCS Istitute Orthopedic Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
| | - Antonia Demarchi
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Lanzoni
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvana Castaldi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Pascal, 36, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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McKechnie D, Fisher MJ, Pryor J, Bonser M, Jesus JD. Development of the Sydney Falls Risk Screening Tool in brain injury rehabilitation: A multisite prospective cohort study. J Clin Nurs 2017; 27:958-968. [PMID: 28833813 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.14048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To develop a falls risk screening tool (FRST) sensitive to the traumatic brain injury rehabilitation population. BACKGROUND Falls are the most frequently recorded patient safety incident within the hospital context. The inpatient traumatic brain injury rehabilitation population is one particular population that has been identified as at high risk of falls. However, no FRST has been developed for this patient population. Consequently in the traumatic brain injury rehabilitation population, there is the real possibility that nurses are using falls risk screening tools that have a poor clinical utility. DESIGN Multisite prospective cohort study. METHODS Univariate and multiple logistic regression modelling techniques (backward elimination, elastic net and hierarchical) were used to examine each variable's association with patients who fell. The resulting FRST's clinical validity was examined. RESULTS Of the 140 patients in the study, 41 (29%) fell. Through multiple logistic regression modelling, 11 variables were identified as predictors for falls. Using hierarchical logistic regression, five of these were identified for inclusion in the resulting falls risk screening tool: prescribed mobility aid (such as, wheelchair or frame), a fall since admission to hospital, impulsive behaviour, impaired orientation and bladder and/or bowel incontinence. The resulting FRST has good clinical validity (sensitivity = 0.9; specificity = 0.62; area under the curve = 0.87; Youden index = 0.54). The tool was significantly more accurate (p = .037 on DeLong test) in discriminating fallers from nonfallers than the Ontario Modified STRATIFY FRST. CONCLUSION A FRST has been developed using a comprehensive statistical framework, and evidence has been provided of this tool's clinical validity. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The developed tool, the Sydney Falls Risk Screening Tool, should be considered for use in brain injury rehabilitation populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan McKechnie
- Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Brain Injury Unit, Royal Rehab, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Murray J Fisher
- Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Nursing Research & Development, Royal Rehab, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julie Pryor
- Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Nursing Research & Development, Royal Rehab, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Jhoven De Jesus
- Westmead Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Diagnostic validity of the STRATIFY and Downton instruments for evaluating the risk of falls by hospitalised acute-care patients: a multicentre longitudinal study. BMC Health Serv Res 2017; 17:277. [PMID: 28412939 PMCID: PMC5393002 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2214-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Falls are major adverse events in hospitals. The appropriateness of using risk assessment instruments for falls in hospitals has recently been questioned, although the research performed in this respect presents some methodological shortcomings. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the accuracy of the Downton and STRATIFY instruments to determine the risk of falls and to predict their incidence in acute care hospitals in the public health system in Andalusia (Spain). Methods A longitudinal, multicentre prospective study was made of a cohort of patients recruited between May 2014 and March 2016. The risk of falls was assessed using each of the above instruments during the first 24 h after hospital admittance, with later re-evaluations every 72 h until discharge. Descriptive statistics were obtained, bivariate and multivariate analysis were performed. The diagnostic validity of the process was assessed by calculations of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and ratios of positive and negative likelihood. ROC curve analysis was performed for both instruments. Results For this study, 1247 patients were recruited, of whom 977 completed all the follow-up assessments. Twenty-three of these patients (2.35%) suffered 24 falls. ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off point for each assessment instrument was below that described by the authors: AUC STRATIFY = 0.69 (95% CI: 0.57–0.8); AUC Downton = 0.6 (95% CI: 0.48–0.72). With a cut-off point of 1, the sensitivity of STRATIFY was 47.6% and its specificity, 85%. With a cut-off point of 2, Downton presented a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 55.3%. Conclusions The Downton and STRATIFY falls risk assessment instruments presented little utility as means of detecting the risk of falls among a sample of adult patients admitted to acute care hospitals. Fall prevention in hospitals should be based on the study of individual risk factors.
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Mazur K, Wilczyński K, Szewieczek J. Geriatric falls in the context of a hospital fall prevention program: delirium, low body mass index, and other risk factors. Clin Interv Aging 2016; 11:1253-1261. [PMID: 27695303 PMCID: PMC5027952 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s115755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inpatient geriatric falls are a frequent complication of hospital care that results in significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE Evaluate factors associated with falls in geriatric inpatients after implementation of the fall prevention program. METHODS Prospective observational study comprised of 788 consecutive patients aged 79.5±7.6 years ( [Formula: see text] ± standard deviation) (66% women and 34% men) admitted to the subacute geriatric ward. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (including Mini-Mental State Examination, Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living, and modified Get-up and Go Test) was performed. Confusion Assessment Method was used for diagnosis of delirium. Patients were categorized into low, moderate, or high fall risk groups after clinical and functional assessment. RESULTS About 15.9%, 21.1%, and 63.1% of participants were classified into low, moderate, and high fall risk groups, respectively. Twenty-seven falls were recorded in 26 patients. Increased fall probability was associated with age ≥76 years (P<0.001), body mass index (BMI) <23.5 (P=0.007), Mini-Mental State Examination <20 (P=0.004), Barthel Index <65 (P=0.002), hemoglobin <7.69 mmol/L (P=0.017), serum protein <70 g/L (P=0.008), albumin <32 g/L (P=0.001), and calcium level <2.27 mmol/L. Four independent factors associated with fall risk were included in the multivariate logistic regression model: delirium (odds ratio [OR] =7.33; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] =2.76-19.49; P<0.001), history of falls (OR =2.55; 95% CI =1.05-6.19; P=0.039), age (OR =1.14; 95% CI =1.05-1.23; P=0.001), and BMI (OR =0.91; 95% CI =0.83-0.99; P=0.034). CONCLUSION Delirium, history of falls, and advanced age seem to be the primary risk factors for geriatric falls in the context of a hospital fall prevention program. Higher BMI appears to be associated with protection against inpatient geriatric falls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Mazur
- Department of Geriatrics, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Wilczyński
- Department of Geriatrics, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Jan Szewieczek
- Department of Geriatrics, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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