Evidence-Based Practice Hendrich Fall Risk Research Paper

A study conducted by Leep Hunderfund et al. tested the effectiveness of a follow-up assessment and risk factor specific intervention measures in reducing falls in an inpatient setting (2011). The study suggested that the Hendrich Risk Fall Model works as an effective primary screening tool and, when used in combination with further physician assessment, reduces the number of patient falls dramatically. Ang, Mordiffi and Wong corroborated these results in a study that demonstrated a reduction in fall rates in response to the implementation of specific intervention measures (2011). The intervention was targeted at risk factors identified by the Hendrich Fall Risk Model and showed how the risk assessment tool could be used effectively with more specific measures to increase specificity.

The evidence found relating to the research question is intermediate in strength. While some comparative studies used the assessment tools on the same population to evaluate predictive value, others used different populations for each tool and thereby added confounding variables. Despite these variables, strong evidence supports the need to supplement the primary fall risk assessment tool with more specific intervention measures. This is particularly relevant to the research question because it addresses all patients in an acute care setting. Despite the higher reported sensitivity of the Conley Scale, the Hendrich Risk Fall Assessment appears to be the most applicable assessment tool due to the diversity of the target population. Based on the literature review, it appears that in the specific setting and population addressed, the Hendrich Fall Risk Assessment Tool is best at determining fall risks and should be used on every patient.

This assignment will benefit the practice due to the severe implications of inpatient falls. The risks of serious adverse events and financial consequences of the treatments warrant a close inspection of what fall risk assessment tools are best at identifying at-risk patients. Due to the financial and resource utilization involved with implementing intervention measures, a more thorough primary assessment with more specific risk measures must be conducted.

References

Ang, E., Mordiffi, S.Z., & Wong, H.B. (2011). Evaluating the use of a targeted multiple intervention strategy in reducing patient falls in an acute care hospital: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 67, 9, 1984-1992.

Hendrich, A.L., Bender, P.S., & Nyhuis, A. (2003). Validation of the Hendrich II Fall Risk Model: A Large Concurrent CASE/Control Study of Hospitalized Patients. Applied Nursing Research, 16(1), 9-21.

Hitcho, E.B., Krauss, M.J., Birge, S., Clairborne Dunagan, W., Fischer, I., Johnson, S., Nast, P.A., Constantinou, E., & Fraser, V.J. (2004). Characteristics and circumstances of falls in a hospital setting: a prospective analysis. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 19, 7, 732-9.

Leep Hunderfund, A.N., Sweeney, C.M., Mandrekar, J.N., Johnson, L.M., & Britton, J.W. (2011). Effect of a Multidisciplinary Fall Risk Assessment on Falls Among Neurology Inpatients. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 86, 1, 19-24.

Lovallo, C., Rolandi, S., Rossetti, A.M., & Lusignani, M. (2010). Accidental falls in hospital inpatients: evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of two risk assessment tools. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 66, 3, 690-696.

Neo-Kim, E.A., Mordiffi, S.Z., Bee, W.H., Devi, K., & Evans, D. (2007). Evaluation of three fall-risk assessment…