[The predictive value of a risk assessment tool for falls in elderly hospitalized patients].
OBJECTIVE
Falls represent a significant problem in acute care settings, and are responsible of severe complications, especially in older adults. Although the literature has suggested a large number of instruments for the assessment of fall risk, their validity is questionable.


OBJECTIVE
A prospective cohort study was designed to test the performance of FRASS (Fall Risk Assessment Scoring System) in identifying at risk patients.


METHODS
All patients aged > 65 years admitted to seven Medical Units of Bergamo Hospital (Italy) between November 1, 2007 and January 31, 2008 were screened with the FRASS.


RESULTS
Falls occurred in 16/564 (2.8%) patients. FRASS sensitivity and specificity were low (50% and 59%, respectively). Since this instrument classifies too many patients who do not fall as at risk, and some patients who fall at no risk, its implementation in our hospital cannot be recommended.
Caldara
Cristina
C
A O Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo.
Destrebecq
Anne
A
Savoldi
Luisa
L
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity