Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a modified Dionne's Egress Test (Egress) as a predictor of falls with the Morse Fall Scale (MFS) in adult medical and surgical patients in an acute care setting.
BACKGROUND: Nurses must identify fall risk while balancing fall prevention and early mobility in their care delivery. Fall risk screening tools alone are not enough to assist nurses in predicting patients at risk of falling.
METHODS: A retrospective observational study design was used to compare the Egress as a predictor of falls to the MFS. The sample included data abstracted from 197 electronic health records and internal falls data.
RESULTS: The Egress and the MFS are moderately and negatively correlated; however, only Egress was a significant predictor of falls. Passing the Egress, not being on benzodiazepines, and having a longer length of stay (LOS) results were associated with being less likely to fall.
CONCLUSION: Egress is a better predictor of falls than MFS when benzodiazepines and LOS are controlled in the model.