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Editor's Notes

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2. Medication error prevention—potassium chloride. Sentinel Event Alert, Issue 1, 27 February 1998. Joint Commission. http://www.jointcommission. org/SentinelEvents/SentinelEventAlert/sea_1.htm. 2. Alert on potassium chloride solutions. National Patient Safety Agency (United Kingdom), 23 July 2002. 3. DiPaulo M et al. Accidental death due to erroneous intravenous infusion of hypertonic saline solution for hemodialysis. International Journal of Artificial Organs, 2004, 27(9):810–812.
3. The items in the scale are scored as follows: History of falling: This is scored as 25 if the patient has fallen during the present hospital admission or if there was an immediate history of physiological falls, such as from seizures or an impaired gait prior to admission. If the patient has not fallen, this is scored 0. Note: If a patient falls for the first time, then his or her score immediately increases by 25. Secondary diagnosis: This is scored as 15 if more than one medical diagnosis is listed on the patient’s chart; if not, score 0. Ambulatory aids: This is scored as 0 if the patient walks without a walking aid (even if assisted by a nurse), uses a wheelchair, or is on a bed rest and does not get out of bed at all. If the patient uses crutches, a cane, or a walker, this item scores 15; if the patient ambulates clutching onto the furniture for support, score this item 30. Intravenous therapy: This is scored as 20 if the patient has an intravenous apparatus or a heparin lock inserted; if not, score 0. S.5 Morse fall scale Gait: A normal gait is characterized by the patient walking with head erect, arms swinging freely at the side, and striding without hesitant. This gait scores 0. With a weak gait (score as 10), the patient is stooped but is able to lift the head while walking without losing balance. Steps are short and the patient may shuffle. With an impaired gait (score 20), the patient may have difficulty rising from the chair, attempting to get up by pushing on the arms of the chair/or by bouncing (i.e., by using several attempts to rise). The patient’s head is down, and he or she watches the ground. Because the patient’s balance is poor, the patient grasps onto the furniture, a support person, or a walking aid for support and cannot walk without this assistance. Mental status: When using this Scale, mental status is measured by checking the patient’s own self-assessment of his or her own ability to ambulate. Ask the patient, “Are you able to go the bathroom alone or do you need assistance?” If the patient’s reply judging his or her own ability is consistent with the ambulatory order on the Kardex®, the patient is rated as “normal” and scored 0. If the patient’s response is not consistent with the nursing orders or if the patient’s response is unrealistic, then the patient is considered to overestimate his or her own abilities and to be forgetful of limitations and scored as 15. Scoring and Risk Level: The score is then tallied and recorded on the patient’s chart. Risk level and recommended actions (e.g. no interventions needed, standard fall prevention interventions, high risk prevention interventions) are then identified. Important Note: The Morse Fall Scale should be calibrated for each particular healthcare setting or unit so that fall prevention strategies are targeted to those most at risk. In other words, risk cut off scores may be different depending on if you are using it in an acute care hospital, nursing home or rehabilitation facility. In addition, scales may be set differently between particular units within a given facility.