Bedömning av fallrisk hos patienter som vårdas inneliggande på sjukhus och inom kommunal vård : Med hjälp av Downton Fall Risk Index

Sammanfattning: Background: Fall injuries are a costly problem for society, with costs ranging up to 14 billion a year. In addition to economic loss accidental falls also creates human value losses and reduced quality of life for its victims. In order to prevent the occurrence of injury related to accidental falls healthcare providers utilize various scientifically developed risk assessment tools, one of them being Downton Fall Risk Index. Method: Empirical, quantitative cross-sectional study. Objective: The purpose of the extended essay was to describe the categories in Downton Fall Risk Index that have a bearing on patients' risk of falling while in hospital and in municipal care, and to illustrate how nurses can use the fall risk assessment tool. Results: Of the 708 participants a total of 73% had a high risk of falling according to Downton Fall Risk Index, of the patients being treated at a hospital 66% had high risk of falling and of the patients being treated in municipal care 87% had high risk of falling. Downton Fall Risk Index indicates that the medication was by far the largest category and included 576 patients (81%), followed by sensory impairment in 474 patients (67%). 335 patients (47%) had fallen previously. Discussion: Previous studies show that among patients being treated in hospitals, between 1.3 to 2.1% will fall. Downton Fall Risk Index indicates that 66% of the group of patients are at high risk of falling. This may be due to the fact that Downton Fall Risk Index focuses too much on medication. It is the nurse’s responsibility to coordinate work around the patient in order to minimize the risk of falling. For example, contact an occupational therapist or an ophthalmologist who can undertake specific actions to reduce patients' risk of falling. Nurses should also use appropriate risk assessment tools to identify risk factors in the patient and then use these to formulate a nursing diagnosis. Conclusion: Downton Fall Risk Index is too sensitive to be used on hospitalized patients, the instrument works better in patients being treated in municipal care. It is important that the nurse can use scientifically designed tool for ensuring good health care for the patient, tools such as the fall risk assessment tool.