[Prediction of likelihood of ground falling in hospitalized old patients in Isfahan; by using Morse fall scale]

ABSTRACT

High incidence of ground falling in hospitalized old patients is an important cause for concern in every treatment system. A very common fall assessment tool is Morse Falls Scale. This study was designed to determine the probability of falling in hospitalized old patients in Isfahan, 2009. This was a cross-sectional descriptive analytic study. Sample size included 400 subjects who were selected by Quata sampling method. We used a questionnaire consisted of two parts, the first part comprised demographic characteristics, number of drugs, diagnosis, name of the hospital and ward, and the second part included Morse Fall Scale. The questionnaire was completed for every subject by trained interrogators. Data was analyzed by means of Chi-square test. This study showed that risk of ground falling had a relation with mean age, history of falling within the last three months, kind of ambulatory aids, having IV/Heparin Lock, estate of walking, mental status, drug consumption of 3 or more drugs, suffering from cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases. In general, risk of ground falling threats 50% of hospitalized old patients. Ground falling is an important threat for hospitalized old patients and is an important problem for care health services. Nurses can recognize patients at risk of falling. Fulfillment of preventive programs can decrease rate of ground falling in hospitalized old patients