[Review of the validity of fall risk assessment scales in hospitalised patients]

Abstract

Falls in the hospital setting are a major health problem due to their high prevalence and their physical, functional, psychological or economic consequences. Since 1990s, different fall risk assessment scales have been developed to detect high-risk patients, which are also applied in the hospital setting. The aim of this review is to analyse the validity of different scales for assessing fall risk in adults in the hospital setting, especially in elderly patients. Following a literature search in April 2021, 36 primary studies were found that analysed the validity of the Downton, Morse, HendrichII, Stratify and Tinetti scales. Meta-analyses of sensitivity and specificity showed a high heterogeneity that does not allow recommending a specific tool that can be considered as standard in acute inpatients.

Keywords: Caídas; Escalas; Falls; Meta-analysis; Metaanálisis; Review; Revisión; Risk assessment; Scales; Valoración del riesgo.