Use of Standardized and Non-Standardized Tools for Measuring the Risk of Falls and Independence in Clinical Practice.

Jan Neugebauer,Jitka Doležalová,Valérie Tóthová

doi:10.3390/ijerph18063226

Abstract

(1) Background: The use of standardized tools is regarded as the basis for an evidence-based assessment. The tools enable monitoring of complex events and the effectiveness of adopted interventions. Some healthcare facilities use standardized tools such as the Morse Fall Scale, but many use non-standardized tools created based on patient needs. Our study question was, why are non-standardized tools used when standardized tools are more beneficial and can be statistically evaluated and compared to other results; (2) Methods: We used a quantitative, non-standardized questionnaire to survey 1200 nurses, which was representative sample for the entire Czech Republic. All questionnaires were assessed in two phases (a) the frequency evaluation and descriptive analysis, and (b) hypotheses testing and correlation analyses; (3) Results: We found that the Conley Scale, Barthel test, and IADL test were preferred by many nurses. Furthermore, we found that nurses using standardized assessment scales noticed risk factors significantly more frequently but regarded the increased complexity of care to be psychologically demanding. (4) Conclusions: In patients with physical disabilities, both types of tools (internal non-standardized and standardized) are used to assess the risk of falls and independence; nurses generally welcomed the increase use of standardized tools in their facilities.

Highlights

Nursing is undergoing rapid development, and its modernization requires identifying specific patient needs and assessing the patient’s status using standardized and non-standardized assessment tools [1]
Significant correlations were found relative to the use of assessment tools and the introduction of the Colney Scale, Morse Fall Scale, Tinetti Scale, the Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)
Respondents who use assessment tools were significantly more likely to welcome the introduction of standardized assessment tools for the assessment of fall risk and independence, i.e., the Conley Scale, Morse Fall Scale, Tinetti Scale, ADL, and IADL (Table 6)

Summary

Introduction

Nursing is undergoing rapid development, and its modernization requires identifying specific patient needs and assessing the patient’s status using standardized and non-standardized assessment tools [1]. The use of standardized tools is the basis for an evidence-based assessment [2]. Respondents reported that they would welcome the introduction of selected standardized assessment tools into their facility. Significant correlations were found relative to the use of assessment tools and the introduction of the Colney Scale, Morse Fall Scale, Tinetti Scale, the ADL, and the IADL (Table 5). Respondents who use assessment tools were significantly more likely to welcome the introduction of standardized assessment tools for the assessment of fall risk and independence, i.e., the Conley Scale, Morse Fall Scale, Tinetti Scale, ADL, and IADL (Table 6).

Results

Discussion

Conclusion