BACKGROUND: Previously, we reported the use of an International Classification of Functioning (ICF) core set that can provide a holistic framework for evaluating the risk factors of falls; however, data on the feasibility of applying this core set are lacking.
AIM: To investigate the feasibility of applying the fall--related ICF risk--factor core set in the case of patients in an acute--rehabilitation setting.
DESIGN: A cross--sectional and descriptive correlational design. SETTING AND PARTICIPATION: A total of 273 patients who experienced fall at acute--rehabilitation ward.
METHODS: The data on falls were collected from the hospital's Nursing Information System (NIS) and the fall--reporting system (Adverse Event Reporting System, AERS) between 2010 and 2013. The relationship of both systems to the fall--related ICF core set was analyzed to assess the feasibility of their clinical application. We evaluated the feasibility of using the fall--related ICF risk--factor core set by using the frequency and the percentage of the fall patients in of the listed categories.
RESULTS: The fall--related ICF risk--factor core set category b735 (muscle tone functions) exhibited a high feasibility (85.95%) for clinical application, and the category b730 (muscle power functions) covered 77.11% of the patients. The feasibility of application of the category d410 (change basic body position) was also high in the case of all fall patients (81.69%).
CONCLUSION: In the acute--rehabilitation setting, the feasibility of application of the fall--related ICF risk--factor core set is high. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The fall--related ICF risk--factor core set can help multidisciplinary teams develop fall--prevention strategies in acute rehabilitation wards.