Development of a Scale to Identify the Fall-Prone Patient

1989 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice M. Morse ◽  
Robert M. Morse ◽  
Suzanne J. Tylko
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patient ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Analysis Procedure ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Patient Falls ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Patient At Risk

ABSTRACTPatient falls are a serious problem, contributing to the morbidity and mortality of the elderly patient. This study reports on the development of the Morse Fall Scale. The scale consists of six scored items and discriminant analysis correctly classifies 80.5% of the patients. Validation of the scale by computer modeling was conducted. Data were randomly split and that analysis procedure repeated. Variables were obtained and weighted using half of these data, and these weights were tested on the remaining data. Similar results were obtained. Sensitivity of the scale was 78% and the positive predictive value, 10.3%. Conversely, specificity was 83% and the negative predictive value, 99.3%. Interrater reliability scores were r=.96. A prospective study in three clinical areas showed that the scale is sensitive to different patient conditions and to length of stay. Thus, the scale permits identification of the patient at risk of falling so that prevention strategies may be targeted to those individuals.

Creating a Safer Patient Room Environment: The Contribution of Patient Bed Height

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-184
Author(s):  
Dorothy Taylor ◽  
Janice Morse ◽  
Andrew Merryweather
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patient ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Lower Leg ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
Patient Room ◽  
Patient Falls ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Bed Height

Elderly patient falls are expensive and may cause serious harm. Studies have identified the sit-to-stand-and-walk (STSW) task as the task where the greatest number of elderly patient falls occur. There is a great need to identify the particular movement and environmental conditions that lead to these elderly patient falls. This study begins to address this gap by evaluating the elderly patient during self-selected hospital bed egress. Using an observed fall risk episode (FRE) as a fall proxy, statistically significant parameters were identified which include bed height, pausing prior to initiating gait, level of fall risk, and Stand phase. Low bed height was identified as the least safe bed height. Patient-specific bed height (PSBH) using the patient’s lower leg length (LLL) is recommended. In addition, suggested guidelines are presented for clinical application in setting PSBH without measuring the patient’s LLL.

The Elderly Patient at Risk

2003 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
C DeAnne Zwicker
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patient ◽  
At Risk ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Patient At Risk

Assessment of the Therapeutic Effect of Physiotherapy on Minimizing Imbalances of Geriatric Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-91
Author(s):  
Justyna Pawlak ◽  
Małgorzata Dudkiewicz ◽  
Łukasz Kikowski
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Therapeutic Effect ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Geriatric Patients ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Climbing Stairs ◽  
Tinetti Test

Introduction: The progressing aging process and comorbidities worsen the efficiency of the balance system in the elderly, which leads to a weakening of stability and, as a consequence, to falls and injuries. The first ones lead to: worsening of functioning, reduced mobility, an increased risk of disease and mortality, therefore systematic physical activity and shaping the balance using physiotherapy, which can prevent dangerous falls is very important. Aim: Assessment of the therapeutic effect of physiotherapy on minimizing imbalances in geriatric patients. M aterial and Methods: The study group consisted of 46 people, including 32 women (69.6%) and 14 men (30.4%); average age of respondents – 72.5 years. They were patients of the Department of Rehabilitation of Poddębice Health Center, Ltd. The researchers used a self-made questionnaire, body mass to height index (BMI) and the Tinetti Test. Results: Patients with an elevated BMI (89.1%), as well as those taking more than 4 medication (78.3%), have had more falls over the past year (respectively 91.4% and 81.4%). After the use of comprehensive therapy, none of the patients achieved a worse result than before the physiotherapy while 91.3% of the respondents had an increase in the number of points scored in the Tinetti Test. The percentage of patients at high risk of falling reduced from 67.4% to 37%. There was also a decrease in the fear of walking (in 58.7%), falling (in 57.7%) and climbing stairs (in 47.9%). According to 78.3% of respondents, physiotherapy positively affected their independence and quality of life. Conclusions: The use of comprehensive physiotherapy reduces the fear of walking, climbing stairs and falling, which can be a good predictor of prevention. Both polypragmasia and an elevated body mass index (BMI) increase the risk of falling. Comprehensive physiotherapy of geriatric patients helps to improve balance and gait stereotype. Physiotherapy for the elderly helps improve the quality of life, independence, minimize imbalances, and thus reduce the risk of falls. Balance exercises play an important role in preventing falls.

scholarly journals Assessment of Functions of the Autonomic Nervous System in the Elderly with Different Comorbid Factors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sushma S. ◽  
Medha Y Rao ◽  
Shaikh Mohammed Aslam
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Deep Breathing ◽  
Isometric Handgrip ◽  
Male Predominance ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Deep Breathing Test

Abstract Background Studies in healthy elderly patients have shown the prevalence of autonomic dysfunction (AD) in the range of 20 to 30%. However, there is paucity in data pertaining to AD in the elderly in the Indian context. Objective To assess the prevalence of AD in the elderly irrespective of their comorbidity status. Methods A total of 141 elderly patients with or without comorbidities/symptoms of AD were included. Demographic and clinical details of the patients were recorded. Autonomic function tests (AFTs) such as deep breathing test, Valsalva ratio, orthostatic heart rate (OHR), isometric handgrip test, and orthostatic blood pressure were performed based on Ewing’s battery of tests. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and the accuracy of AFTs were evaluated. Results Most patients (n = 85) were aged between 60 and 69 years, with a male predominance (58.87%). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. Postural hypotension was the most common symptom of AD. With advancing age, symptoms of AD manifested significantly more. Overall, 73.8% of patients had AD, of whom 45.4% had early AD. Number of AD symptoms, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, and comorbid factors (diabetes and hypertension) were significantly associated with the results of AFTs (p < 0.05). AFTs were highly significant with respect to the results obtained (p < 0.001). Deep breathing test, abnormal in majority of study patients, has a sensitivity of 93.3% and OHR has a specificity of 81.1% to determine AD. Conclusion The study concludes that age itself is an independent predictor of AD, which increases in severity if associated with comorbidities.

scholarly journals Effects of Balance Shoes on Balance and Postural Stability in the Elderly: A Crossover, Controlled, Randomized Single-Blind Study

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 179
Author(s):  
Nicolas Amiez ◽  
Carole Cometti ◽  
Éric Mouillon ◽  
Marie José Teisseire ◽  
Pascal Chenut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Risk Of Falling ◽  
Limits Of Stability ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Falling Risk ◽  
Familiarization Period ◽  
Healthy Elderly People ◽  
Single Blind

The risk of falling increases with age. Individuals wearing unadapted shoes present an aggravating risk factor. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of specifically designed balance shoes on balance and postural stability in healthy elderly people compared to that of their usual shoes. In total, 21 healthy individuals aged 65–84 years (76.0 ± 8.0 years) performed balance tests (bipedal with open or closed eyes, unipedal with open eyes, limits of stability, and step cadence) while wearing their (i) personal shoes or (ii) balance shoes (Axis Comfort Development©). Three test sessions were conducted with personal and balance shoes. The first served as the baseline, and the other two were performed after a familiarization period of several days with the personal or balance shoes. The perception of balance shoe efficiency was documented using a questionnaire. The balance shoes significantly improved bipedal balance with closed eyes. Moreover, the familiarization period significantly improved unipedal balance with open eyes. Most subjects felt safer and stabler using balance shoes. The investigated specifically designed balance shoes were effective in elderly individuals in improving postural balance compared to personal shoes. The balance shoes could, therefore, reduce the falling risk in healthy elderly people.

PREDICTIVE VALUE OF LOW AT III LEVELS FOR THE OCCURRENCE OF IVH, IRDS AND DEATH IN PREMATURE NEONATES

1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
W van den Berg ◽  
M Peters ◽  
C Breederveld ◽  
J W ten Cate ◽  
J G Koppe
Keyword(s):  
Positive Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Peripheral Vein ◽  
Premature Neonates ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
At Iii ◽  
Diffuse Intravascular Coagulation ◽  
Idiopathic Respiratory Distress Syndrome ◽  
A Prospective Study

The observation of AT III deficiency in premature neonates with Idiopathic Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS), suggests a positive predictive value for a poor outcome. The underlying diffuse intravascular coagulation could generate serious hemorrhagic complications like Peri/Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH).A prospective study was performed in consecutively born neonates to assess the predictive value of low AT III for theoccurrence of IVH, (gr. III/IV), IRDS, and death. Eighty-one neonates were included in the study during a period of 5 months. AT III levels were determined immediately after birth by a chromogenic substrate assay. Values in umbilical cord blood were identical with values in capillary or peripheral vein blood samples taken within 6 hours after birth. There was no correlation between AT III values and gestational age (r: 0.18). Twenty-four neonates with IRDS showed a mean AT III value of 0.23 U/ml (S. D. ± 0.07 U/ml) which was significantly lower than a mean AT III value of 0.35 U/ml (S. D. ± 0.1 U/ml) for neonates without IRDS (p ≺0.00005). When IVH gr. III/IV was diagnosed in neonates having IRDS (8/24) no significant difference in mean AT IIIact was observed with respect to jnean AT III levels of remaining neonates without this complication. No death occurred in neonates without IRDS. Mean AT IIIact (0.21 U/ml) in neonates with IRDS who died (9/24) was low compared with mean AT III levels of neonates with IRDS who survived (0.25 U/ml), but did not reach significance (p≻0.1). Assuming a critical value of AT III of 20% a positive predictive value of 89% for IRDS, 44% for IVH, and 56% for death was calculated. It is concluded that low AT Illact levels have a high predictive value for IRDS.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document