Completing Community Falls Risk Assessments Learning & Development

You’ll need to read these... The relevant documents are in the Trust’s Documents Library, accessible from the Trust intranet home page if you search for ‘falls’: Management of Falls - CORP/POL/042 Use of the Falls Risk Assessment Form – CORP/PROC/126 Falls Service North Business Continuity Plan – CHS/PLAN/001 Slips Trips & Falls Prevention for Staff & Others – CORP/POL/156

You should see these... You’ll find sample copies of the forms below in the ‘Use of the Falls Risk Assessment Form’ document mentioned on our previous screen: Falls Risk Assessment Form Fracture Risk Assessment Form

Let’s look at the Falls form We’ll take each section in turn, front and back:      

Let’s look at section 1...  

Use the left-hand box for documenting abbreviations   In the right-hand box print patient details in black, or use an Addressograph label from their notes

Let’s look at section 2...  

Ask the four trigger questions; If ‘Yes’ to any, go on to complete the full assessment, making sure you date and sign the form; If risk is medium or high:  Complete a Fracture Risk Assessment Form  Consider referral to GP;  Consider referral to osteoporosis CNS, if appropriate.  

Now let’s look at section 3...

This is the first of the nine more specific sections on the form and aims to establish the likely risk of someone falling, with women being at a higher risk, which is why they score 2 instead of 1. SEX (Circle one only) Male Female 1212

Any problems with seeing, hearing, or balance? Circle more than one, if applicable. Establish if they have appropriate aids. SENSORY DEFICIT (Circle all that apply) Sight/wears glasses Hearing/wears aid Balance problems Not applicable

MEDICAL HISTORY (Circle all that apply) Diabetes Dementing type illness/confusion Fits Transient Ischaemic attack/CVA Incontinence Parkinsons/neurological disease Not applicable Are there any pre-existing conditions or illnesses that could impede movement? Score 1 point for each that applies.

AGE (Circle one) Under – – The older the person, the greater the risk of falling. The greater the age, the higher the score.

Do they have a known history of falling? Are they known to the falls team? Do they need referring, if applicable? FALL HISTORY (Circle one) None Indoor fall Outdoor Fall Both

Are there any pre-existing mobility problems? Do they use a walking-stick or frame? Are there any restrictions, such as limps or wounds? MOBILITY (Circle one) Full Uses aid Restricted Bed bound

BALANCE/GAIT (Circle all that apply) Steady Hesitant Poor transferring Unsteady Are they steady on their feet? On mobilising, do they feel unsure? Do they need help transferring? If not, is there a known reason? Is there anything they can use to make things easier for them?

Are they on any medications that could: Alter their perception? Interfere with their balance? Cause dizziness, or make them dizzy and unstable on their feet? MEDICATION (Circle all that apply) Sleeping tablets Tranquilisers Blood pressure Tablets Water Tablets Not applicable

What are their current living arrangements? Do they receive any services? Do they have someone to help them at home? Do they have stairs to climb? CURRENT LIVING SITUATION (Circle one only) Lives alone/Is Carer Lives with carer/partner/spouse Carer package support Residential care/Hospital

Let’s look at section 4, on the back of the form...  

Add up all the scores...   3-8 LOW RISK 9-15 MEDIUM RISK 16+ HIGH RISK DATE SCORE ASSESSORS SIGNATURE... and don’t forget to sign and date this section.

Let’s look at section 5, also on the back of the form...

Complete the Action Checklist where appropriate: (Put an X for No and a Y for Yes in the relevant boxes, plus L&M for Lancaster & Morecambe or W&R for Wyre & Fylde.) Do any referrals need to be made? Does any advice need to be given? Date any action that has been taken.

If the total is medium to high (>9 but <15): Do they need monitoring of their observations? Complete the Fracture Risk Assessment Form.

For high risk patients (scores of 16+): Consider environmental protectors, such as: Are they on the ground-floor? Do they have handrails? Are there any sharp corners they could hurt themselves on? Also: Look at any referrals, or OT assessments etc, that might need making.

Other factors to consider: All risk groups MUST receive diet and lifestyle advice. Develop an individual action or care plan based on the assessment form; Make referrals to the appropriate services, as indicated on the Action Checklist; Consider any safeguarding actions; Does an Untoward Incident Report need to be completed? Enter results in patient or client notes.

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