Korean J Adult Nurs.  2013 Feb;25(1):74-82.

Fall Risk Factors and Fall Risk Assessment of Inpatients

• Kim YS
• Choi-Kwon

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the fall risk factors and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Morse Fall Scale(MFS) as an assessment tool among hospitalized inpatients.
METHODS
The medical records of a total of 294 patients who admitted to hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2010 were reviewed. One hundred forth seven patients who had experienced fall were matched with 147 patients who have never experienced fall. The fall information was obtained from electronic medical records and fall reports.
RESULTS
There were significant differences in visual disturbances, pain, emotional disturbances, sleep disorder, urination problems and elimination disorder at admission between fallers and non-fallers. Patients who had higher MFS scores at admission were more likely to fall as compared to the patients with lower MFS scores. When falls did occur, these occurred within five days following admission, in the patient room, among patients with alert mental status, and among patients who were ambulant with some assistance.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study support the need of using risk assessment tool for predicting risk for falls. This finding can be used as a useful resource to develop nursing intervention strategies for fall prevention at the hospital.

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls
Affective Symptoms
Electronic Health Records
Elimination Disorders
Humans
Inpatients
Medical Records
Patients' Rooms
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Urination Disorders

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