Patient Perception of Fall Risk and High Fall Risk Screening Scores

<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of the study was to describe the relationship between patient</p> <p>perception of fall risk and high fall risk screening scores.</p> <p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite mandated government regulations and multiple hospital</p> <p>interventions, falls are the most prevalent adverse event among hospitalized patients and</p> <p>are the leading driver of health care costs, amounting to over $30 billion each year with</p> <p>projections to double by 2030. Recently, perception was identified as a major component</p> <p>in preventing falls. A dearth of research examines the relationship between a patient’s</p> <p>perceived risk for falls and standardized fall screening scores.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive correlational design with a convenience sample of 201 inpatient</p> <p>adults aged 65 and older screened as a high fall risk > 11 Johns Hopkins fall risk score</p> <p>(JHFRS) was enrolled from medical surgical units in a Magnet®-designated Southern</p> <p>California hospital from July to September 2018. After providing informed consent,</p> <p>participants completed 4 perception measures. Bivariate analyses examined relationships</p> <p>between select variables and JHFRS group (≥16). Logistic regression model examined</p> <p>odds ratios of 5 variables from the bivariate analysis.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>The sample (<em>n</em>=201) was diverse (61.7% Caucasian, 16.4% Black, 15.9%</p> <p>Hispanic, 2.5% Asian, 3.5% Other), 91.5% English speaking and 8.5% Spanish speaking.</p> <p>Mean age 77.1 ± 7.9 (range 65-99). Confidence was the only perception scale</p> <p>significantly associated with fall risk (<em>r</em>= -0.194, p=.01). Bivariate analysis indicated</p> <p>significant relationships between 75th percentile high fall risk (JHFRS ≥16) and Central</p> <p>Nervous System (CNS) agents (χ2=5.45, p=.02), Caucasian versus non-Caucasian group</p> <p>(χ2=4.71, <em>p</em>=.03), less than college versus some college or more group (χ2=4.664, <em>p</em>=.03),</p> <p>and number of co-morbidities (χ2=2.120, <em>p</em>=.04). Education was significantly associated</p> <p>with race (χ2=14.121), <em>p</em><.001).</p> <p><strong>Implications: </strong>Study findings indicate patient perception of confidence is associated with</p> <p>75th percentile of high fall risk (score ≥16). Further research is warranted to examine</p> <p>perceptions related to fall risk screening in other settings and factors related to perception</p> <p>to accurately identify patients at risk for falling. Screening and accurately identifying</p> <p>patients at risk for falls can lead to decreased morbidity, mortality, health care cost, and</p> <p>improved patient outcomes.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD Nursing

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation: Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nursing

Year dc:date.available

2019

Author dc:creator

• Pena, Nicole D.

• Fall Risk
• Perception
• Falls
• Elderly Falls
• Geriatric Nursing
• Nursing Administration
• Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing
• Other Social and Behavioral Sciences

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digital.sandiego.edu/dissertations/133

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.sandiego.edu:dissertations-1134