Wilson Sims Fall Risk Assessment Tool Versus Morse Fall Scale in Psychogeriatric Inpatients: a Multicentre Study.

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Falls are a significant concern in psychogeriatric inpatients, leading to increased morbidity and healthcare costs.
• Accurate fall risk assessment is crucial for implementing effective preventive strategies in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the predictive validity of the Wilson Sims Fall Risk Assessment Tool (WSFRAT) against the Morse Fall Scale (MFS).
• To determine the most effective fall risk assessment tool for psychogeriatric inpatients.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study involving 183 psychogeriatric inpatients who experienced falls.
• Assessed fall risk using both WSFRAT and MFS, recording subsequent fall incidents during hospitalization.
• Calculated sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for both scales.

Main Results:

• The Wilson Sims Fall Risk Assessment Tool (WSFRAT) identified all four patients who fell (100% sensitivity), whereas the Morse Fall Scale (MFS) identified only two (50% sensitivity).
• WSFRAT demonstrated higher sensitivity, while MFS had slightly higher specificity (54.75% vs 45.81%).

Conclusions:

• The WSFRAT is a more effective fall risk assessment tool for psychogeriatric inpatients due to its superior sensitivity.
• The WSFRAT's specific items for psychiatric patients suggest it should replace the MFS in these settings.