A new instrument for targeting falls prevention interventions was accurate and clinically applicable in a hospital setting.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the diagnostic accuracy and practical application of the Peter James Centre Falls Risk Assessment Tool (PJC-FRAT), a multidisciplinary falls risk screening and intervention deployment instrument.


METHODS
In phase 1, the accuracy of the PJC-FRAT was prospectively compared to a gold standard (the STRATIFY) on a cohort of subacute hospital patients (n = 122). In phase 2, the PJC-FRAT was temporally reassessed using a subsequent cohort (n = 316), with results compared to those of phase 1. Primary outcomes were falls (events), fallers (patients who fell), and hospital completion rates of the PJC-FRAT.


RESULTS
In phase 1, PJC-FRAT accuracy of identifying fallers showed sensitivity of 73% (bootstrap 95% confidence interval CI = 55, 90) and specificity of 75% (95% CI = 66, 83), compared with the STRATIFY (cutoff > or = 2/5) sensitivity of 77% (95% CI = 59, 92) and specificity of 51% (95% CI = 41, 61). This difference was not significant. In phase 2, accuracy of nursing staff using the PJC-FRAT was lower. PJC-FRAT completion rates varied among disciplines over both phases: nurses and physiotherapists, > or =90%; occupational therapists, > or =82%; and medical officers, > or =57%.


CONCLUSIONS
The PJC-FRAT was practical and relatively accurate as a predictor of falls and a deployment instrument for falls prevention interventions, although continued staff education may be necessary to maintain its accuracy.
Haines
Terry P
TP
The University of Melbourne and Peter James Centre, LB 1, P.O. Forest Hill, Victoria 3131, Australia. terrence_haines@health.qld.gov.au
Bennell
Kim L
KL
Osborne
Richard H
RH
Hill
Keith D
KD
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D004496:Education, Continuing; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D010343:Patient Admission; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards