Fall Assessment:
Don't Let Falls Trip Up Your Survey: Use These MDS Sections To Identify Residents At Risk
Published on Sat Oct 02, 2004
To identify fall risk, target these MDS items (among others), which include the usual suspects and some often overlooked causes of falls:
Incontinence (Section H)
Unsteady gait (Section J)
A balance problem (Section G)
Cognitive impairment (Section B)
Weight gain/edema (Section J)
Pain (Section J)
Syncope, dizziness/vertigo (Section J)
Hallucinations (Section J)
Source: Debra Hagerty, RN, MSN, NHA