Falls assessment framework

Under the auspices of the Provincial Osteoporosis Project, the Falls Assessment Working Group was established in 2004 to develop an evidence-based falls assessment framework that would be easy to use across the continuum of care. [...] Shortly after the release of the report, the Department of Health established a Project Management Team to oversee the implementation of the report’s recommendations. [...] The intent of this framework is to raise the awareness of falls and falls prevention and to give the user the information necessary to create individualized, practical falls assessment tools and programs tailored to their situation and environment. [...] In fact, the literature review did not support the use of a single assessment tool across the sectors (See: Queensland Health, 2003; RNAO, 2002.) Users of this document will normally be those persons who develop new programs and policies that affect the quality of care for older and at-risk adults, and those who train others in implementing and using new procedures and tools. [...] Action Plan • Assess the falls history, including • frequency of falls • circumstances of the fall (how, when, where) • severity of the fall and if injuries occurred • time of day • patterns surrounding falls • Assess specific contributing risk factors based on the above findings.