title: Assessment of the elderly: it's worth covering the risks.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Comprehensive assessments provide an invaluable opportunity to identify those at risk of adverse health events, enabling timely access to appropriate health care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive assessment tool, the Adult Patient Assessment Tool (APAT), particularly in relation to early identification of older people at risk of falls, pressure areas, cognitive impairment or delirium, or patients with mental illness or substance abuse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Concurrent mixed methods including an initial retrospective medical record audit and focus groups were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the introduction of the APAT, assessment of falls risk and mental illness increased. The number of nursing actions relating to pressure areas and falls also increased, indicating a greater awareness of patients' individual needs. Non-clinical information gathered through the APAT enabled a more holistic approach to patient care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of electronic medical records would alleviate pressures on nurses' time, providing an opportunity to store and retrieve comprehensive nursing assessment and benefit patient health care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early assessment results in an increased number of nursing activities related to patient care. Further education relating to mental health and substance abuse screening and cognitive assessment may enhance the completion of these tools.
authors: South Western Sydney Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia. rachel.langdon@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Langdon
authors: Maree
authors: M
authors: Johnson
authors: Vince
authors: V
authors: Carroll
authors: Geraldine
authors: G
authors: Antonio
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment