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Risk assessment and incidence of falls in adult hospitalized patients1 1 Paper extracted from Master's Thesis "Avalação do Risco de Quedas em Paciente Adultos Hospitalizados", presented to Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Supported by Fundação de Incentivo a Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (FIPE Jr/UFSM), Brazil, by Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Brazil nd Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brazil.

Abstract

Objectives:

assess the risk of falls in adult hospitalized patients and verify the incidence of the event in this environment.

Method:

cohort study, with approval by the Research Ethics Committee, which monitored 831 patients hospitalized at a university hospital. The Morse Fall Scale (MFS) was used to assess the risk and patients with high risk (≥45 points) were considered exposed to falls.

Results:

the mean MFS score was 39.4 (±19.4) points. Between the first and the final assessment, the score increased by 4.6%. The first assessment score presented a strong and positive correlation with the final assessment score (r=0.810; p=0.000).

Conclusion:

the higher the risk score for falls when the patient is admitted, the higher the score at the end of the hospitalization period and vice-versa. The incidence rate corresponded to 1.68% with a higher percentage of patients classified at high risk of falls.

Descriptors:
Nursing; Accidental Falls; Patient Safety; Scales; Hospitalization; Incidence

Resumen

Objetivos:

evaluar el riesgo para caídas de pacientes hospitalizados y verificar la incidencia del evento en ese ambiente.

Método:

estudio de cohorte, aprobado por Comité de Ética en Investigación, que siguió 831 pacientes internados en un hospital universitario. Se utilizó la Morse Fall Scale (MFS) para evaluar el riesgo y se consideró como expuesto a las caídas el paciente con riesgo elevado (≥45 puntos).

Resultados:

la puntuación media de la MFS fue de 39,4 (±19,4) puntos. Entre la primera y la última evaluación, la puntuación aumentó en 4,6%. La puntuación de la primera evaluación mostró correlación positiva fuerte con la de la última evaluación (r=0,810; p=0,000).

Conclusión:

cuanto mayor la puntuación de riesgo para caídas en el momento de la admisión del paciente, mayor al final del período de internación y vice-versa. La tasa de incidencia fue 1,68% con mayor porcentaje de pacientes clasificados con riesgo elevado para caídas.

Descriptores:
Enfermería; Accidentes por caídas; Seguridad del Paciente; Escalas; Hospitalización; Incidencia

Resumo

Objetivos:

avaliar o risco para quedas de pacientes adultos hospitalizados e verificar a incidência do evento nesse ambiente.

Método:

estudo de coorte, aprovado por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, que acompanhou 831 pacientes internados em um hospital universitário. Utilizou-se a Morse Fall Scale (MFS) para avaliar o risco e considerou-se exposto às quedas o paciente com risco elevado (≥45 pontos).

Resultados:

a média da pontuação da MFS foi de 39,4 (±19,4) pontos. Entre a primeira e a última avaliação, existiu um aumento de 4,6% na pontuação. O escore da primeira avaliação apresentou uma correlação positiva forte com o da última avaliação (r=0,810; p=0,000).

Conclusão:

quanto maior a pontuação de risco para quedas na admissão do paciente, maior ao final do período de internação e vice-versa. A taxa de incidência foi de 1,68% com maior percentual de pacientes classificados com risco elevado para quedas.

Descritores:
Enfermagem; Acidentes por Quedas; Segurança do Paciente; Escalas; Hospitalização; Incidência

Introduction

A fall happens when the individual falls on the floor or moves to levels inferior to the initial position, excluding intentional changes11. American Geriatrics Society; British Geriatrics Society. AGS/BGS Clinical practice guideline: for prevention of falls in older persons [Internet]. New York: AGS; 2010 [Access Oct 9, 2016]. Available from: Available from: http: www.americangeriatrics.org/health_care_professionals/clinical_practice/clinical_guidelines_recommendations/2010
http: www.americangeriatrics.org/health_...
. In hospitalized patients, this incidence figures among the main adverse events the institutions need to prevent11. American Geriatrics Society; British Geriatrics Society. AGS/BGS Clinical practice guideline: for prevention of falls in older persons [Internet]. New York: AGS; 2010 [Access Oct 9, 2016]. Available from: Available from: http: www.americangeriatrics.org/health_care_professionals/clinical_practice/clinical_guidelines_recommendations/2010
http: www.americangeriatrics.org/health_...
.

Studies appoint the falls as a frequent event in the hospital context, with percentages ranging from 1.1% to 22%, according to the patient's specificity22. Tucker SJ, Bieber PL, Attlesey-Pries JM, Olson ME, Dierkhising RA. Outcomes and Challenges in Implementing Hourly Rounds to Reduce Falls in Orthopedic Units. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. [Internet]. 2012 [Access Nov 5, 2015];15:18-29. Available from: Available from: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1111%2Fj.17416787.2011.00227.x?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED_NO_CUSTOMER
http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1111...
-33. Vieira ER, Berean C, Paches D, Caveny P, Yuen D, Ballash L, et al. Reducing falls among geriatric rehabilitation patients: a controlled clinical trial. Clin Rehabil. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Jan 25, 2014];27(4):325-35. Available from: Available from: http: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22952303
http: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/229523...
. This incidence is directly related to patient safety and can increase the length of hospitalization and interfere in the individual's recovery44. Abreu C, Mendes A, Monteiro J, Santos FR. Falls in hospital settings: a longitudinal study. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem. [Internet]. May-June 2012 [[Access Nov 5, 2015];20(3):597-603. Available from: Available from: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rlae/v20n3/a23v20n3.pdf
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rlae/v20n3/a23v...
. Falls can be influenced by multiple factors and entail consequences for the patient, such as: damage, extended length of hospitalization and increased care costs55. Costa SGRF, Monteiro DR, Hemesath MP, Almeida MA. Caracterização das quedas do leito sofridas por pacientes internados em um hospital universitário. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. [Internet]. Dez. 2011 [Acesso 10 out 2016];32(4):676-81. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rgenf/v32n4/v32n4a06
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rgenf/v32n4/v32...
.

Assessing the patient and identifying the characteristics that can enhance the probability of falls is fundamental to plan effective prevention strategies66. Luzia MF, Victor MAG, Lucena AF. Nursing Diagnosis Risk for falls: prevalence and clinical profile of hospitalized patients. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem [Internet]. Mar.-Apr. 2014 [Access Nov 5, 2015];22(2):262-8. Available from: Available from: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rlae/v22n2/0104-1169-rlae-22-02-00262.pdf
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rlae/v22n2/0104...
. Hence, using specific tools to identify individuals more susceptible to falling can serve as an ally in preventing the incident.

Studies on falls have been undertaken in different scenarios77. Forrest GP, Chen E, Huss S, Giesler A. A Comparison of the Functional Independence Measure and Morse Fall Scale as Tools to Assess Risk of Fall on An Inpatient Rehabilitation. Rehabil Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Nov 5, 2015];38(4):186-92. Available from: Available from: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002%2Frnj.86?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED
http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002...

8. Ohde S, Terai M, Oizumi A, Takahashi O, Deshpande GA, Takekata M, et al. The effectiveness of a multidisciplinary QI activity for accidental fall prevention: Staff compliance is a critical. BMC Health Serv Res. [Internet]. 2012 [Access Nov 5, 2015];197(12):2-7. Available from: Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3502440/pdf/1472-6963-12-197.pdf
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-99. Duca GFD, Antes DL, Hallal PC. Quedas e fraturas entre residentes de instituições de longa permanência para idosos. Rev Bras Epidemiol. [Internet]. 2013 [Acesso 10 out 2016];16(1): 68-76. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rbepid/v16n1/1415-790X-rbepid-16-01-0068.pdf
http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rbepid/v16n1...
. In Brazil, however, there is a lack of studies that investigate the incidence of this event in the hospital context and assess the risk by means of validated instruments. In this study, the Morse Fall Scale was used because it is a global tool that permits the effective identification of fall risks in hospitalized adults. The tool was also chosen because it has been translated and cross-culturally adapted to Portuguese1010. Urbanetto JS, Creutszberg M, Franz F, Ojeda BS, Gustavo AS, Bittencourt HR, et al. Morse Fall Scale: tradução e adaptação transcultural para a lingua portuguesa. Rev Esc Enferm USP. [Internet]. 2013 [Acesso 05 nov 2015];47(3):569-75. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/reeusp/v47n3/0080-6234-reeusp-47-3-00569.pdf
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/reeusp/v47n3/00...
. In this context, the goal was to assess the risk of falls in adult hospitalized patients and to verify the incidence of the event in this environment.

Method

Cohort study developed at the Surgical Clinical and Medical Clinical services I and II of a teaching hospital located in the interior of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The study was developed between March and July 2013 and includes all patients hospitalized at the proposed services; over 18 years of age and who accepted to participate in the research. The ideal time to start the collection was set as up to 24 hours of hospitalization. To minimize the losses, however, this time was expanded to up to 48 hours. No exclusion criteria were established.

The data collection started after the project had been approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Universidade Federal de Santa Maria - CEP/UFSM, under opinion 206.995, on February 25th 2013. The patients were included after the patient or the companion had signed the Informed Consent Form.

To collect the data, information from the patient history was assessed: age, sex, date of hospitalization and discharge, medical diagnoses and registers of falls. In addition, the patient was assessed for: muscle strength in upper and lower limbs1111. Barros ALBL. Anamnese e exame físico: avaliação diagnóstica de enfermagem no adulto. 2ª ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed; 2010. 440 p., Morse Fall Scale (MFS)1010. Urbanetto JS, Creutszberg M, Franz F, Ojeda BS, Gustavo AS, Bittencourt HR, et al. Morse Fall Scale: tradução e adaptação transcultural para a lingua portuguesa. Rev Esc Enferm USP. [Internet]. 2013 [Acesso 05 nov 2015];47(3):569-75. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/reeusp/v47n3/0080-6234-reeusp-47-3-00569.pdf
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/reeusp/v47n3/00...
score and occurrence of falls. It is highlighted that the patient was monitored across the hospitalization period and that collaborators the researcher had trained in advance collected the data daily.

The data were organized in Excel (r), version 2010, with independent double data entry. After checking for errors and inconsistencies, the analysis was developed in the software Predictive Analytics SoftWare (PASW, SPSS, USA, 2011) version 18.0 for Windows.

The descriptive statistical analysis of the results was undertaken by means of absolute and relative frequencies for the categorical variables; and means, standard deviations and medians for the continuous variables, according to the symmetry of the data. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to investigate the normality distribution of the continuous variables. For the comparison between two independent groups of the continuous variables, Student's t-test (symmetrical distribution) and Mann Whitney's test (asymmetrical distribution) were used; to compare the categorical variables, Pearson's Chi-squared or Fisher's Exact test were used. To investigate the linear relation between the MFS scores on the first and final assessment, Pearson's Correlation was applied. For statistical decision criteria, in all comparisons, statistical significance (α) was set at 5%.

The incidence rate (IR) was calculated as the ratio between the number of new cases of falls and the total of person-time produced between on the total number of patients monitored, according to the equation1212. Costa AJL, Kale PL. Medidas de freqüência de doença. In: Medronho RA, organizador. Epidemiologia 3ª. Ed. São Paulo: Atheneu; 2008.: TI (t0 - t) = I / PT, where (t0 - t) refers to the interval between the baseline t0 and moment t; I represents the number of new cases that emerged between t0 and t; and PT represents the quantity of person-time the population accumulated during the study.

The decrease in the muscle strength can be a factor predisposing to falls and is not included in the MFS. Thus, the test by Rossi and Mistrorigo1111. Barros ALBL. Anamnese e exame físico: avaliação diagnóstica de enfermagem no adulto. 2ª ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed; 2010. 440 p., scored from zero to five, was used to assess the muscle strength in each upper and lower limb. The higher the score, the greater the patient's muscle strength. For the analyses, the limb assessment was grouped in upper and lower limbs and the score was dichotomized into reduced (0 to 4 points) and preserved (5 points).

The MFS consists of six items with mutually different scores, which are attributed to each patient and can range between 0 and 125 points. Patients classified between 0 and 24 points are at low risk of falls during the hospitalization; patients classified between 25 and 44 points are at moderate risk of falls; and patients with 45 points or more are at high risk of falls1010. Urbanetto JS, Creutszberg M, Franz F, Ojeda BS, Gustavo AS, Bittencourt HR, et al. Morse Fall Scale: tradução e adaptação transcultural para a lingua portuguesa. Rev Esc Enferm USP. [Internet]. 2013 [Acesso 05 nov 2015];47(3):569-75. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/reeusp/v47n3/0080-6234-reeusp-47-3-00569.pdf
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/reeusp/v47n3/00...
. Patients classified as high risk were considered exposed to falls (MFS score of 45 or higher). Low and moderate-risk patients (MFS between 0 and 44) were considered not exposed to the event.

Results

Among the 864 patients hospitalized at the investigated services between March 11th and July 11th 2013 who complied with the inclusion criteria, 831 were monitored daily to assess the risk and occurrence of falls. The losses (N=33; 3.8%) were due to refusals to participate.

In this study, male patients were predominant (N=500; 60.2%), between 67 and 92 years of age (N=284; 34.2%), with a mean age of 58.1 (±16.1) years. The mean length of hospitalization was 7.7 days (±9.2), median 4 days. On average, the patients were monitored for 5.4 days (±5.2), with a median of 4 days (minimum 1 and maximum 27 days).

In Table 1, the descriptive statistics are displayed for the Morse Fall Scale (MFS) according to the length of hospitalization.

Table 1
Descriptive statistics for Morse Fall Scale score according to length of hospitalization. Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, 2013 (N=831)

The patients' mean score was 39.4 points, with a minimum of 0 and maximum of 110. The standard deviation of the MFS, that is, the internal variation for a same patient during the period, was about 5.3 points, far below the minimum MFS score of 15 points. That indicates a homogeneous score in the course of the hospitalization.

The Variation Coefficient of the MFS is similar to its standard deviation, but related to the patient's average score. Hence, one may say that, on average, the same patient's score during the period assessed varied by 18.5%. It is highlighted that, in total, 337 patients presented zero variation in the MFS score during the period (one assessment day or MFS score equal to zero).

In Table 2, the patients' distribution according to the MFS items is described.

Table 2
Patient distribution according to items of the Morse Fall Scale (MFS) during the monitoring period (11/03 till 11/07). Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, 2013

In the fall history, 24.4% (N=203) of the patients presented a score different from zero (25 points) on at least one of the days investigated, while 75.6% (N=628) scored zero on all days investigated. For the secondary diagnosis, 39.1% (N=325) of the patients did not present more than one medical diagnosis during the 30 days investigated. The other patients investigated (N=506; 60.9%) scored higher than 15 points, that is, more than one medical diagnosis.

As regards the use of an intravenous device, the results appointed that 92.8% (n=771) presented this characteristic on at least one of the 30 days investigated. Concerning help with walking, 85.5% (N=710) did not need any kind of help; 6.4% (N=53) needed crutches, a cane or walker; and 8.2% (N=68) did not use any type of help with walking but held on to the furniture or wall on at least one of the 30 days investigated.

What walking is concerned, 49.5% (N=411) of the patients presented score zero only (normal walking; does not walk/ Totally bedridden/ Uses wheelchair) on the 30 days investigated; 31% (N=258) scored 10 (weak walking) on at least one of the 30 days investigated; and 19.5% (N=162) of the patients scored 20 (committed or staggering walk) on at least of the 30 days assessed. Concerning the mental status, 91.5% (N=760) of the participants were oriented in terms of the capacity/limitation to walk alone, that is, they only scored zero on the 30 days assessed.

In Table 3, the patients' risk classifications for falls on the first and final assessment day and the mean classification are described, according to the MFS score.

Table 3
Distribution of patients according to risk classification on the Morse Fall Scale (MFS) on the first, final and mean assessments. Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, 2013 (N=831)

When the patients' risk of falls was assessed, according to the MFS classification, on the first as well as the final assessment and on average, the highest percentage of patients was classified in the category high risk for falls (36.6%, 41.2% and 37.7%, respectively). Between the first and final assessments, the MFS score increased by 4.6%. The score on the first assessment revealed a strong and positive correlation with the score on the final assessment (r=0.810; p=0.000), that is, the higher the risk score for falls when the patient was admitted, the higher the score at the end of the hospitalization period and vice-versa.

During the 122 days of monitoring, among the 831 patients assessed, 19 dropped to the floor. That implies an average 4.7 falls per month. The fall incidence rate per person/day in the total group of 6400 patients/day corresponded to 1.68% (95%CI; 1.51 - 1.72%). As regards the accumulated frequency, which directly estimates the probability/risk that an individual develops the outcome during a specific time period, was equal to 2.28 (95%CI: 1.66 - 2.91).

In Table 4, the absolute and relative frequencies of the patients with and without falls are displayed, according to demographic variables, health conditions and MFS classifications.

Table 4
Distribution of patients according to demographic variables, health conditions and classifications on the Morse Fall Scale (MFS). Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, 2013 (N=831)

The patients with hearing problems presented a significantly higher percentage of falls (N=5; 5.6%) when compared to the patients without this difficulty. As regards the risk classification according to the MFS, falls victims obtained a significantly higher percentage in the high risk category (p<0.001).

When comparing the MFS scores with the presence and absence of falls between the groups (with and without falls), a higher MFS score was detected across the assessment period in the group with falls (Figure 1).

Figure 1
Mean MFS score on each day assessed for the presence and absence of falls.

When the scores were compared intragroup, it was observed that, among the patients who did not present falls, the average scores ranged between 33.8 and 60.0 points on the MFS. In the group with falls, however, the mean scores ranged between 55.0 and 80.0 points, that is, a higher variation when compared to the group without falls.

Discussion

What the length of the assessment and, inherently, of the hospitalization was concerned, most patients were assessed between two and ten times, with an average length of hospitalization of 7.7 days (±9.2). In that sense, in another study, on average, the assessed patients were in hospital for 3.1 days (±2.57) and the length of hospitalization was longer in cases of falls1313. Nassar N, Helou N, Madi C. Predicting falls using two instruments (the Hendrich Fall Risk Model and the Morse Fall Scale) in an acute care setting in Lebanon. J Clin Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Nov 5, 2015]; 23:1620-9. Available from: Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.12278/epdf
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11...
. Hence, the longer the length of hospitalization, the greater the patient's risk of falls (OR=3.2; p<0.01)1313. Nassar N, Helou N, Madi C. Predicting falls using two instruments (the Hendrich Fall Risk Model and the Morse Fall Scale) in an acute care setting in Lebanon. J Clin Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Nov 5, 2015]; 23:1620-9. Available from: Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.12278/epdf
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.

As regards the mean MFS scores, previous studies found averages that differed from this study (39.4 ±19.4 points). In a study that monitored patients similar to the persons assessed in this study, the mean MFS score was 31.7 (±16.9), corresponding to a moderate risk of falls1313. Nassar N, Helou N, Madi C. Predicting falls using two instruments (the Hendrich Fall Risk Model and the Morse Fall Scale) in an acute care setting in Lebanon. J Clin Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Nov 5, 2015]; 23:1620-9. Available from: Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.12278/epdf
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11...
. In another study, a higher mean MFS score was found (57.2), corresponding to a high risk of falls77. Forrest GP, Chen E, Huss S, Giesler A. A Comparison of the Functional Independence Measure and Morse Fall Scale as Tools to Assess Risk of Fall on An Inpatient Rehabilitation. Rehabil Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Nov 5, 2015];38(4):186-92. Available from: Available from: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002%2Frnj.86?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED
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. The latter was developed at a rehabilitation service, where a higher percentage of patients experienced limitations and difficulties, mainly related to walking77. Forrest GP, Chen E, Huss S, Giesler A. A Comparison of the Functional Independence Measure and Morse Fall Scale as Tools to Assess Risk of Fall on An Inpatient Rehabilitation. Rehabil Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Nov 5, 2015];38(4):186-92. Available from: Available from: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002%2Frnj.86?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED
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. Hence, the mean MFS scores and, consequently, the profile of the hospitalized patients will depend on the service offered in hospital.

In this study, a higher percentage of patients obtained scores indicating risk of falls on the MFS items: secondary diagnosis and use of intravenous device. In one study1414. Rocha HB, Samuel RCF, Lahti LA, Azevedo RC, Creutzberg M, Gustavo AS, et al. Avaliação do risco de quedas em adultos hospitalizados conforme a Morse Fall Scale traduzida para a língua portuguesa. Rev Graduação. [Internet]. 2013 [Acesso 5 nov 2015];6(1):1-7. Disponível em: http://revistaseletronicas.pucrs.br/ojs/index.php/graduacao/article/view/13763/9289
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, a similar result was found, in which the patients assessed presented a higher prevalence associated with the risk of falls only for the item use of intravenous device (83.3%). In another study, 40.7% of the patients assessed scored for the Nursing Diagnosis (ND) and risk for falls on the item secondary diagnosis, that is, they received more than one diagnosis1515. Albuquerque NLS, Sisnando MJA, Sampaio SPC Filho, Morais HCC, Lopes MVO, Araújo TL. Fatores de risco para quedas em pacientes hospitalizados com cardiopatia isquêmica. Rev Rene. [Internet]. 2013 [Acesso 10 out 2016]; 14(1):158-68. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.periodicos.ufc.br/index.php/rene/article/view/3348/2586
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. These two items are important, as well as their relation with medication use, leading to the need for falls prevention strategies related to the use of medication.

It is important to highlight the item walking. When adding up the percentages of patients with weak and or compromised/staggering walking, 50.5% of the patients monitored revealed some walking problem on at least one assessment day. In that sense, the health professionals should assess the patients in terms of autonomy and the need to use walking accessories1616. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Protocolo Prevenção de quedas [Internet]. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2013. [Acesso 10 out 2016]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.saude.mt.gov.br/upload/controle-infeccoes/pasta12/protocolos_cp_n6_2013_prevencao.pdf
http://www.saude.mt.gov.br/upload/contro...
. Another important strategy is to advise the patients and companions to turn them into partners in care as, when they are able to perceive their limitations in terms of impaired mobility, it becomes easier to request help.

The patients' classification according to the MFS, on the first and final assessments and on average, appointed that a higher percentage was classified at high risk for falls, and was therefore classified as exposed to the event. That is in accordance with a Brazilian study that used the MFS to assess hospitalized patients, showing a high risk of falls1414. Rocha HB, Samuel RCF, Lahti LA, Azevedo RC, Creutzberg M, Gustavo AS, et al. Avaliação do risco de quedas em adultos hospitalizados conforme a Morse Fall Scale traduzida para a língua portuguesa. Rev Graduação. [Internet]. 2013 [Acesso 5 nov 2015];6(1):1-7. Disponível em: http://revistaseletronicas.pucrs.br/ojs/index.php/graduacao/article/view/13763/9289
http://revistaseletronicas.pucrs.br/ojs/...
.

What the MFS classification is concerned, a previous study observed a significant but mild drop in the scale scores when the first and final assessments were compared (57.2 vs. 51.6)77. Forrest GP, Chen E, Huss S, Giesler A. A Comparison of the Functional Independence Measure and Morse Fall Scale as Tools to Assess Risk of Fall on An Inpatient Rehabilitation. Rehabil Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Nov 5, 2015];38(4):186-92. Available from: Available from: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002%2Frnj.86?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED
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. This evidence differs from this study, in which, the higher the MFS score on the first assessment, the higher the score on the final assessment, with statistical significance. This finding strengthens the need to assess the patient when admitted to the service, with periodical reassessments. In that sense, the assessment should be done daily, enhancing the reassessments in case of transfer from the sector, identification of another risk factor, change of clinical conditions and occurrence of falls1616. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Protocolo Prevenção de quedas [Internet]. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2013. [Acesso 10 out 2016]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.saude.mt.gov.br/upload/controle-infeccoes/pasta12/protocolos_cp_n6_2013_prevencao.pdf
http://www.saude.mt.gov.br/upload/contro...
. Through this monitoring, changes in the scores and risk factors can be identified and the strategies can be remodeled when necessary.

Concerning the incidence rate of falls, the percentages show some variation between the studies. Research developed at inpatient services including patients similar to the persons monitored in this study appointed falls incidence rates of 1.8% and 2.1%22. Tucker SJ, Bieber PL, Attlesey-Pries JM, Olson ME, Dierkhising RA. Outcomes and Challenges in Implementing Hourly Rounds to Reduce Falls in Orthopedic Units. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. [Internet]. 2012 [Access Nov 5, 2015];15:18-29. Available from: Available from: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1111%2Fj.17416787.2011.00227.x?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED_NO_CUSTOMER
http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1111...
,88. Ohde S, Terai M, Oizumi A, Takahashi O, Deshpande GA, Takekata M, et al. The effectiveness of a multidisciplinary QI activity for accidental fall prevention: Staff compliance is a critical. BMC Health Serv Res. [Internet]. 2012 [Access Nov 5, 2015];197(12):2-7. Available from: Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3502440/pdf/1472-6963-12-197.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
. These authors highlight the lower rates after the implementation of preventive strategies (1.1% and 1.5%). The comparisons demonstrate that the incidence rate and the percentage of falls in this study are in accordance with the percentages found in the Brazilian and international literature (1.3% to 12.6%)1717. Prates CG, Luzia MF, Ortolan MR, Neves CM, Bueno ALM, Guimarães F. Falls in hospitalized adults: incidence and characteristics of these events. Cienc Cuid Saude. [Internet]. 2014 [Acesso 10 out 2016];13(1):74-81. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/CiencCuidSaude/article/view/20728/pdf_145
http://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/C...

18. Abreu HCA, Reiners AAO, Azevedo RCS, Silva AMC, Abreu DROM, Oliveira AD. Incidência e fatores preditores de quedas de idosos hospitalizados. Rev Saúde Pública. [Internet]. 2015 [Acesso 8 out 2016];49(37):1-9. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rsp/v49/pt_0034-8910-rsp-S0034-89102015049005549.pdf
http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rsp/v49/pt_0...
-1919. Correa AD, Marques IAB, Martinez MC, Laurino PS, Leão ER, Chimentão DMN. Implantação de um protocolo para gerenciamento de quedas em hospital: resultados de quatro anos de seguimento. Rev Esc Enferm USP . [Internet]. 2012 [Acesso 5 nov 2015];46(1):67-74. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/reeusp/v46n1/v46n1a09.pdf
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/reeusp/v46n1/v4...
.

In the analysis of the research variables, when comparing demographic data, physical exercise, health conditions and MFS classification between patients with and without falls, only the variable hearing problem was significantly higher among fall victims. No other studies were found that supported the findings, alerting to the need to better investigate the association between hearing problems and the occurrence of falls. Authors2020. Morais HCC, Holanda GF, Oliveira ARS, Costa AGS, Ximenes CMB, Araujo TL. Identificação do diagnóstico de enfermagem "Risco de quedas em idosos com acidente vascular cerebral". Rev Gaúcha Enferm . [Internet]. 2012 [Acesso 5 nov 2015];33(2):117-24. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rgenf/v33n2/17.pdf
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rgenf/v33n2/17....
investigated hearing impairment as a factor predisposing to falls but found no significant result.

What the other findings are concerned, other studies did not evidence a significant difference either for falls related to sex77. Forrest GP, Chen E, Huss S, Giesler A. A Comparison of the Functional Independence Measure and Morse Fall Scale as Tools to Assess Risk of Fall on An Inpatient Rehabilitation. Rehabil Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Nov 5, 2015];38(4):186-92. Available from: Available from: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002%2Frnj.86?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED
http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002...
,1313. Nassar N, Helou N, Madi C. Predicting falls using two instruments (the Hendrich Fall Risk Model and the Morse Fall Scale) in an acute care setting in Lebanon. J Clin Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Nov 5, 2015]; 23:1620-9. Available from: Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.12278/epdf
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11...
and age77. Forrest GP, Chen E, Huss S, Giesler A. A Comparison of the Functional Independence Measure and Morse Fall Scale as Tools to Assess Risk of Fall on An Inpatient Rehabilitation. Rehabil Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Nov 5, 2015];38(4):186-92. Available from: Available from: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002%2Frnj.86?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED
http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002...
. Regarding the variable musculoskeletal problem, these study results differed from the findings in other studies1414. Rocha HB, Samuel RCF, Lahti LA, Azevedo RC, Creutzberg M, Gustavo AS, et al. Avaliação do risco de quedas em adultos hospitalizados conforme a Morse Fall Scale traduzida para a língua portuguesa. Rev Graduação. [Internet]. 2013 [Acesso 5 nov 2015];6(1):1-7. Disponível em: http://revistaseletronicas.pucrs.br/ojs/index.php/graduacao/article/view/13763/9289
http://revistaseletronicas.pucrs.br/ojs/...
,1818. Abreu HCA, Reiners AAO, Azevedo RCS, Silva AMC, Abreu DROM, Oliveira AD. Incidência e fatores preditores de quedas de idosos hospitalizados. Rev Saúde Pública. [Internet]. 2015 [Acesso 8 out 2016];49(37):1-9. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rsp/v49/pt_0034-8910-rsp-S0034-89102015049005549.pdf
http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/rsp/v49/pt_0...
that found a significant association between high risk for falls and the presence of musculoskeletal disorders.

The association between the degree of risk based on the MFS scores and the presence or not of falls was significant. On average, a larger percentage of falls victims were classified as at high risk for falls (≥45 points). In that sense, the MFS score of the falls victims was relatively higher when compared to patients who did not fall (65.1 vs. 55.2)2121. Salamon LA, Victory M, Bobay K. Identification of Patients at Risk for Falls in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Program. Rehabil Nurs . [Internet]. 2012 [Access Nov 5, 2015];37(6):292-7. Available from: Available from: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002%2Frnj.36?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED
http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002...
.

Thus, using this tool to classify the patients and, based on the risk identification, listing prevention strategies, turns into an ally in the nurse's work process and in the promotion of patient safety in the hospital context.

Based on the results, some strategies can be cited that can be included in the care plan: use specific instruments to predict the risk of falls, one of which is the MFS: train the team on the appropriate way to assess the patient and implement the strategies; advise patients/companions on the risk factors that can entail falls; and identify high-risk patients, using a signal at the headrest or a specific wristband, among other strategies77. Forrest GP, Chen E, Huss S, Giesler A. A Comparison of the Functional Independence Measure and Morse Fall Scale as Tools to Assess Risk of Fall on An Inpatient Rehabilitation. Rehabil Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [Access Nov 5, 2015];38(4):186-92. Available from: Available from: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002%2Frnj.86?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED
http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1002...
-88. Ohde S, Terai M, Oizumi A, Takahashi O, Deshpande GA, Takekata M, et al. The effectiveness of a multidisciplinary QI activity for accidental fall prevention: Staff compliance is a critical. BMC Health Serv Res. [Internet]. 2012 [Access Nov 5, 2015];197(12):2-7. Available from: Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3502440/pdf/1472-6963-12-197.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
,2222. Remor CP, Cruz CB, Urbanetto JS. Análise dos fatores de risco para queda de adultos nas primeiras 48 horas de hospitalização. Rev Gaúcha Enferm . [Internet]. 2014 [Acesso 12 out 2016];35(4):28-34. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rgenf/v35n4/pt_1983-1447-rgenf-35-04-00028.pdf
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rgenf/v35n4/pt_...
.

The assessment period is appointed as a limitation, considering that the prevalence of the investigated outcome is low, demanding a larger number of participants in the research. Greater investments in longitudinal studies are needed at Brazilian institutions due to the multifactorial nature of falls. This study contributes to the knowledge, appointing the incidence of falls in adult patients and the importance of using a globally validated tool for the purpose of risk assessment.

Conclusion

The largest group of hospitalized patients was classified as at high risk for falls according to the MFS. The incidence rate of falls corresponded to 1.68% and it was verified a higher percentage of patients who fell were classified in the category high risk for falls. These data signal that the MFS can be used to assess the risk of falls, with a view to identifying factors that contribute to the occurrence of this incident in the hospital context, as the scale assesses different items.

Although low, the incidence rate of falls detected in this study appoints the need to sensitize the health professionals to the occurrence of these incidents in hospitals. Being closer to the patient, the nursing team is an important ally in the prevention of falls. This proximity permits the early identification of risk situations and favors the nurse's planning of actions, in cooperation with the multidisciplinary team, with a view to reducing the falls rate, which interferes in the continuity of care and in patient safety.

References

  • 1
    Paper extracted from Master's Thesis "Avalação do Risco de Quedas em Paciente Adultos Hospitalizados", presented to Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Supported by Fundação de Incentivo a Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (FIPE Jr/UFSM), Brazil, by Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Brazil nd Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brazil.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    2017

History

  • Received
    07 May 2016
  • Accepted
    16 Jan 2017
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