Falls risk assessments and management plans

Falls risk assessment is a systematic, comprehensive process to identify an individual resident's risk factors for falling. Conducting a falls risk assessment provides a sound basis for deciding which interventions to implement. Falls risk assessment tools are essential to determine an individual resident's risk of falls, and for the facility as a whole. They can indicate what interventions should be implemented, and facilitate effective utilisation of limited resources.

Research has shown that multiple targeted intervention programs based on a comprehensive risk assessment can result in a significant reduction in falls, fall-related injuries and hospitalisations in residential aged care facilities.

On admission to the facility, a falls risk assessment should be undertaken for each resident and regularly reviewed as the level of risk can vary over time. Frequency of reassessment has been recommended to occur monthly, although this can vary in some residential aged care facilities. However, reassessment should be conducted when there is a fall, or a sudden change in the resident's health or functional status eg. urinary tract infection, pneumonia or delirium, as these can increase the resident's risk of falling.

Nursing staff in residential aged care facilities usually undertake falls risk assessments. However, in some facilities, it may be possible to undertake a multi-disciplinary assessment, where a specific section of the assessment is undertaken by a different discipline eg. medical or physiotherapy staff. If a multi-disciplinary process is used it is desirable for one staff member to be responsible for ensuring completion of all sections by the relevant discipline to facilitate a coordinated approach.

Upon completion of the risk assessment tool and implementation of management strategies the identified risks and interventions need to be communicated to all staff, the resident and their family.

To assist you in implementing a falls risk assessment and management process into your facility the following resources have been included:

• Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) and instructions

• Falls risk assessment and management tool

• Falls risk assessment and guidelines

• Falls risk assessment and management form

Other relevant links

• Community risk assessment forms and management plans