An assessment of risk factors for falls is a standardized process that uses an assessment tool. The tools evaluate several different dimensions of risk, including fall history, mobility,
Section 3: Best Practices 35
medications, mental status, and continence. A tool could be a simple checklist of risk factors, or it could be more complex, depending on the needs of the hospital or unit.
Because assessment is a defined task, clinicians can perceive that completing the assessment tool is all they need to do. The Unit Team can help staff understand that these assessment tools are only one small piece of the process. The risk assessment tools are meant to complement clinical judgment, not to replace it.