Veterans' fall risk profile: a prevalence study

Patricia A Quigley^1,4, Polly Palacios², Andrea M Spehar^3,5

^1,2,3Patient Safety Research Center, VISN 8, James A Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA; ⁴Adjunct Faculty for the University of South Florida College of Nursing and Faculty for the University of Phoenix, Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing and Health Sciences, Phoenix, FL, USA; College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; ⁵Faculty, University of South Florida College of Public Health; Research Director, Suncoast Center for Patient Safety (AHRQ DCERPS), Health Sciences Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.

Abstract: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) serves the health care needs of an adult, predominantly male, and aging population. The aging profile of VHA patients is 25% greater than the civilian sector (DVA 2001). Aged patients are at higher risk for falls. In February 2002, 6 VHA medical centers profiled their inpatients’ fall risk profile as one aspect of program initiatives targeted at reducing veterans’ fall risk and fall-related injuries, participating in a one-day collection of fall risk measurement using the Morse Fall Scale (MFS) for all inpatients (n=1819), acute and long-term care units. Data results are reported for age, MFS score, and the relationship between age and score, and by type of ward/unit, ie, predominately acute and critical care or long-term care. The results of this prevalence study documented that the veteran inpatient population are at high-risk for anticipated physiological falls. This Veteran Integrated Services Network-wide Deployment of an Evidence-based Program to Prevent Patient Falls study was completed as part of a nationally funded clinical initiative, National Program Initiative 20-006-1.

Keywords: fall risk assessment, fall risk prevalence, inpatient falls, Morse Fall Scale