What Is the Morse Fall Risk Scale?
The Morse Fall Risk Scale is an instrument for recognizing the level of risk for falls in patients in hospitals and care centers, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The objective of using the tool is to find a way to address fall risk factors with the aim of reducing the risk of falls. The tool uses six items to come up with scores based on a yes or no answer.
Nursing staff prefer the Morse Fall Risk Scale because it is easy to administer, provides results that nurses can work on and provides a valid measure of the risk of a fall, notes Enquire Solutions. For instance, it takes less than a minute to complete the assessment. The scale consists of six factors that are scored to determine the risk. A value of between zero and 24 designates low risk, a value between 25 and 44 indicates medium risk while a score of 45 or more shows a high risk of falling.
Different fall interventions are available for each score, as listed on Enquire Solutions. Low-risk patients need education and exercise among other interventions. Medium-risk patients require physical therapy and medication monitoring. High-risk patients require a personalized care plan, hip protectors and an identification arm band.
