Word Version [ - 43.48 KB]
Background: A standardized approach to postfall evaluation is key to maintaining the patient's safety and for organizational learning about how to prevent future falls.
Reference: This tool is adapted from a tool developed by Ronald I. Shorr, MD, M.S. See Shorr RI, Mion LC, Chandler AM, et al. Improving the capture of fall events in hospitals: combining a service for evaluating inpatient falls with an incident report system. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18205761 J Am Geriatr Soc 2008;56(4):701-4.) The Confusion Assessment Method within this tool is adapted from a tool by Sharon K. Inouye, MD, MPH (See Inouye SK, van Dyck CH, Alessi CA, et al. Clarifying confusion. Ann Intern Med 1990;113(12):941-8.)
How to use this tool: The information below can be customized for use within your hospital. Note that the tool was originally used as part of a dedicated fall evaluation service that was called to investigate each fall. For details, see the Shorr reference. This tool can be used by staff nurses and information systems staff.
The tool may be used for the purpose of root cause analysis to prevent future falls in this patient and in future patients. This assessment should be performed in conjunction with a medical provider's or pharmacist's assessment of medications contributing to fall risk (go to Tool 3I, "Medication Fall Risk Score and Evaluation Tools") and a medical provider's assessment of laboratory test results, if appropriate. The Orthostatic Vital Sign Measurement tool (Tool 3F) and the Delirium Evaluation Bundle (Tool 3J) may be helpful in completing this tool. A separate tool (Tool 3N, Postfall Assessment, Clinical Review) covers how to assess and follow injury risk immediately after a patient has fallen.
Postfall Assessment
1. PATIENT/WITNESS DESCRIPTION OF FALL:
1.1. Can you remember anything about your fall?
___ Yes ___ No The patient can't answer reliably
1.2. Did anyone witness the fall?
___ Yes, by: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___ No or don't know (if no good quality patient or witness description, go to part 2)
1.3. Where did you fall?
___ Bathroom ___ Hall ___ Room
___ Other, describe: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
1.4. What were you doing at the time of the fall?
___ Don't remember
___ "Rolled out of bed"
___ Trying to reach/pick-up something
___ Trying to get in/out of bed to go to toilet/commode
___ Trying to get in/out of bed for other reason
___ Trying to get in/out of chair
___ Trying to get on/off bedside commode/toilet
___ Trying to use sink, shower, chair, or toilet/commode
___ Trying to dress/undress
___ Other, describe: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
1.5. Why do you think you fell?
___ Don't know, remember
___ I had a recent lower extremity amputation
___ Slipped, tripped
___ Got lightheaded, dizzy, or "blacked out"
___ Arms or legs got weak
___ Tried to sit, but missed
___ I lost my balance
___ "Got tangled up" with IV, tubing, clothes, etc.
___ Bed or chair not locked
___ Other, describe: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. BRIEF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
2.1. Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire
Question | Response | Error? | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
What are the date, month, and year?* | Date | Month | Year | |
What is the day of the week? | ||||
What is the name of this place? | ||||
What is your phone number? | ||||
How old are you? | ||||
When were you born? | ||||
Who is the current president? | ||||
Who was the president before him? | ||||
What was your mother's maiden name? | ||||
Can you count backward from 20 by 3s? |
* A mistake on ANY part of this question should be scored as an error.
Total Errors: _______
SCORING *:
0-2 errors: normal mental functioning
3-4 errors: mild cognitive impairment
5-7 errors: moderate cognitive impairment
8 or more errors: severe cognitive impairment
* One more error is allowed in the scoring if a patient has had a grade school education or less. One less error is allowed if the patient has had education beyond the high school level.
Section 2.1 adapted with permission from Pfeiffer E. A short portable mental status questionnaire for the assessment of organic brain deficit in elderly patients. J Am Geriatr Soc 1975;23(10):433-41. ©E. Pfeiffer, 1994.
2.2. Confusion Assessment Method
In the 24 hours prior to the fall did this patient: | Yes | No |
---|---|---|
CAM 1a. Have an acute change of mental status from baseline? | ||
CAM 1b. Exhibit behavioral fluctuations (come and go)? | ||
CAM 2. Have difficulty focusing attention or appear easily distractible (for example, have difficulty keeping track of what was said)? | ||
CAM 3. Exhibit disorganized or incoherent thinking such as irrelevant conversation, unclear or illogical flow of ideas, or unpredictable switching from subject to subject? | ||
CAM 4. Are any of the following abnormal levels of consciousness observed (or reported) in the 24 hours prior to the fall?
|
||
If yes to CAM 1a and 1b and CAM 2 AND either CAM 3 or CAM 4, then delirium is likely to be present in this patient. |
Section 2.2 adapted from Inouye SK, van Dyck CH, Alessi CA, et al. Clarifying confusion. Ann Intern Med 1990;113(12):941-8. Used with permission, Sharon K. Inouye, MD, MPH ©2000, Hospital Elder Life Program. All rights reserved.
2.3. Severity of injury (check the most severe)
___ None (skip to question 2.5)
___ Minor (complaint of pain; requires ice, dressing, cleaning of wound, elevating of limb, or medication)
___ Moderate (requires suturing, steri-strips, or splinting)
___ Major (requires surgery, casting, traction, neurologic consultation for change in level of consciousness)
___ Possible, at time of this evaluation major injury is suspected but not yet confirmed by tests
___ Definite, at time of this evaluation major injury has been confirmed
___ Death
2.4. Describe injuries; check all that apply
Injury | Yes | No | Site of Injury |
---|---|---|---|
Abrasion/bruise/laceration/hematoma | |||
Bleeding | |||
Pain/difficulty moving extremity | |||
Other: |
2.5. Orthostatic blood pressure
Blood Pressure (mm Hg) | Heart Rate (beats per minute) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Systolic blood pressure (supine) | Heart rate (supine) | Can't obtain Refused | |
Diastolic blood pressure (supine) | |||
Systolic blood pressure (standing) | Need for orthostatic | Heart rate (standing) | Can't obtain Refused |
Diastolic blood pressure (standing) | Need for orthostatic | ||
Systolic blood pressure (sitting)* | Heart rate (sitting)* | Can't obtain Refused | |
Diastolic blood pressure (sitting)* |
* Sitting measurements are only necessary if standing cannot be obtained.
3. NURSE INTERVIEW (NURSE ASSIGNED TO PATIENT)
3.1. How did you find out that this patient fell?
___ I saw the patient fall
___ Alarm went off
___ Patient/witness called
___ Heard noise/found patient on floor
3.2. What was the patient doing at time of fall?
___ Don't know
___ "Rolled out of bed"
___ Trying to get in/out of chair
___ Trying to get in/out of bed to go to the bathroom/commode
___ Trying to reach/pick up something
___ Trying to get in/out of bed for another reason
___ Trying to get on/off toilet/bedside commode (BSC)
___ Trying to use the bedside sink, shower, toilet/BSC chair
___ Trying to dress/undress
___ Other, describe: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
3.3. Why do you think the patient fell/lost their balance?
___ Don't know
___ Catastrophic event (e.g., stroke, arrhythmia NOT orthostatic hypotension)
___ Arms or legs got weak
___ Got lightheaded, dizzy, or "blacked out"
___ Tried to sit, but missed
___ Secondary gain (e.g., seeking attention)
___ Related to recent amputation
___ "Got tangled up" in equipment
___ Low blood sugar
___ Slipped or tripped
___ Lost balance
___ Medications
___ Bed, chair not locked
___ Other, describe: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
3.4. Prior to the patient's fall, what was his/her activity level (ask nurse this question)?
___ Up ad lib
___ Ambulate with assistance
___ Bedrest
___ Up in chair with assistance
___ Other, describe: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
3.5. Prior to fall, identify the ancillary walking aids patient had available in room (check all that apply):
___ None
___ Cane
___ Walker
___ Wheelchair
___ Leg prosthesis
___ Other
3.6. Prior to fall, were fall prevention measures in place?
Fall Prevention Measures | Yes | No |
---|---|---|
Falls precautions | ||
Fall alert identifier (door sticker) | ||
Bed alarm: if yes, check those that apply: Alarm sounded properly |
||
Call light/bell in reach | No n/a |
|
Other: |
3.7. What CONNECTED IVs/tubes were present at the time of the fall?
IV/Tube | Yes | No |
---|---|---|
IV (central line, peripheral) | ||
Bladder catheter | ||
Gastrostomy or other feeding tube | ||
Pneumatic compression> stockings | ||
Other: |
4. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION NOT COVERED ON THIS FORM
Please record orthostatic blood pressure readings in the patient's chart and return this form to the designated place in the staffing office.