The Baptist Health High Risk Falls Assessment: a methodological study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Baptist Health High Risk Falls Assessment (BHHRFA).


BACKGROUND
The cost of falls and the potential for increased patient morbidity and mortality necessitate the development of a psychometrically sound assessment.


METHODS
Based on pilot data, a multisite study was conducted. Assessments were collected on 21 medical-surgical units, 1 rehabilitation unit, 1 psychiatric unit, and 3 critical care units (N = 241599). Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) were calculated. Clinical usefulness in terms of assessment performance time was addressed.


RESULTS
Psychometric properties were within a desirable range for each site, critical care patients, and all participants (sensitivity, 0.64-1.00; specificity, 0.50-0.70; and DOR, 4.73-7.0). Although sensitivity at 1 site was high (0.84), specificity was low (0.37).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that the BHHRFA is clinically useful for adult inpatients across acute care settings.
Author Affiliations: Evidence-Based Practice Consultant (Dr Corley), Evidence-Based Practice Coordinator (Dr Brockopp), Nursing Director (Ms McCowan), Magnet/Nursing Special Projects Coordinator (Ms Merritt), Evidence-Based Practice Consultant (Dr Moe), Patient Care Technician (Ms Hall), Baptist Health Lexington, Kentucky; Executive Nursing Director (Ms Cobb), Baptist Health Corbin, Kentucky; Infection Control Nurse and Patient Safety Officer (Ms Johnson), Baptist Health La Grange, Kentucky; Nursing Director (Ms Stout) Baptist Health Louisville, Kentucky.
Donna
D
Corley
Dorothy
D
Brockopp
Denise
D
McCowan
Sharon
S
Merritt
Teresa
T
Cobb
Brenda
B
Johnson
Cheryl
C
Stout
Krista
K
Moe
Brittany
B
Hall
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors