title: Efficient Assessment of Risk of Fall.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify factors that are associated with risk of falls on rehabilitation unit and to determine an efficient and inexpensive method of identifying patients at high risk for fall.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective record review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of 2,254 consecutive admissions to an inpatient rehabilitation unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Score on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) at the time of admission and length of stay are the factors that most highly correlate with risk of fall. Use of the mobility and problem solving or transfer and problem solving scales can identify patients at high risk for fall.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low scores on total FIM, and the mobility and problem solving items indicate increased risk of fall.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses need to take appropriate measures to protect the safety of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Forrest
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Falls; rehabilitation; safety issues