Citation

Quigley PA, Palacios P, Spehar AM. Clin. Interv. Aging 2006; 1(2): 169-173.

Affiliation

Patient Safety Research Center, VISN 8,James A Haley Veterans' Hospital,Tampa, FL 33612, USA Patricia.Quigley@med.va.gov

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Dove Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

18044113

PMCID

PMC2695171

Abstract

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) serves the health care needs of an adult, predominantly male, and aging population. The aging profile of VHA patients is 25% greater than the civilian sector (DVA 2001). Aged patients are at higher risk for falls. In February 2002, 6 VHA medical centers profiled their inpatients' fall risk profile as one aspect of program initiatives targeted at reducing veterans' fall risk and fall-related injuries, participating in a one-day collection of fall risk measurement using the Morse Fall Scale (MFS) for all inpatients (n = 1819), acute and long-term care units. Data results are reported for age, MFS score, and the relationship between age and score, and by type of ward/unit, ie, predominately acute and critical care or long-term care. The results of this prevalence study documented that the veteran inpatient population are at high-risk for anticipated physiological falls. This Veteran Integrated Services Network-wide Deployment of an Evidence-based Program to Prevent Patient Falls study was completed as part of a nationally funded clinical initiative, National Program Initiative 20-006-1.

Language: en