What is the range of Edmonson fall risk score?

The Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool (EPFRAT) was specifically developed to address the unique fall risks of psychiatric inpatients. Unlike some other fall risk scales that start at zero, the EPFRAT features a scoring system that can result in a negative score for individuals at a lower risk of falling, impacting the full range of the Edmonson fall risk score.

Quick Summary

The Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool (EPFRAT) evaluates fall risk in psychiatric inpatients. The score can range from negative values for low-risk individuals to over 90 for high-risk patients. A score of 90 or greater typically classifies a patient as high-risk, prompting targeted fall prevention strategies. The score is calculated by adding points from several categories.

Key Points

• Score Range: The Edmonson score can range from a negative value to a high score exceeding 100, with negative scores indicating a reduced risk of falling.

• High-Risk Threshold: A patient is typically classified as high risk if their Edmonson score is 90 or greater, triggering enhanced fall prevention protocols.

• Unique to Psychiatric Patients: The EPFRAT is specifically designed for psychiatric inpatients, incorporating factors like mental status, specific psychiatric diagnoses, and medication effects.

• Weighted Scoring: The calculation involves assigning weighted points to nine categories, including age, mental status, elimination, and history of falls.

• Negative Scores for Low Risk: A 'fully alert and oriented' mental status category is assigned a negative score, which can result in a negative total score for very low-risk patients.

• Tailored Interventions: The EPFRAT's specific focus allows for more targeted and effective fall prevention strategies compared to general-use tools.

What is the range of the Edmonson fall risk score?

The Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool (EPFRAT) includes weighted factors that can result in a score extending into negative numbers for individuals with lower fall risk. The maximum score can exceed 100. A score of 90 or greater is often used to identify patients at high risk for falls. The potential range depends on the combination of risk factors assessed.

How the Edmonson score is calculated

The EPFRAT is designed for the psychiatric population, taking into account factors like agitation and psychosis, which are not typically found in general fall risk assessments. The score is determined by summing points from nine distinct categories.

A detailed breakdown of these categories and their assigned points is available in the {Link: Academia.edu https://www.academia.edu/32629769/Edmonson_Psychiatric_Fall_Risk_Assessment_Edmonson_Psychiatric_Fall_Risk_Assessment} resource. The possibility of scoring negative points for mental status is what allows for negative total scores.

Interpreting the Edmonson score

The EPFRAT score is interpreted based on a high-risk threshold. Reaching or exceeding this threshold should prompt specific fall prevention interventions.

Risk Stratification Based on Score

Score Range	Risk Level	Nursing Action
Less than 90	Lower to Moderate Risk	Implement standard fall precautions. Continue routine monitoring.
90 or Greater	High Risk	Initiate targeted, enhanced fall prevention protocols and interventions. Increase monitoring frequency.

This straightforward approach helps clinicians quickly identify high-risk patients and implement appropriate safety measures like increased supervision or mobility support. The tool's design makes it particularly suitable for the psychiatric inpatient population, addressing their unique fall risk factors.

Comparison with other fall risk scales

The Edmonson scale offers advantages over general fall risk tools like the Morse Fall Scale, especially in psychiatric settings.

Feature	Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool (EPFRAT)	Morse Fall Scale (MFS)
Target Population	Inpatient psychiatric patients	General patient population (e.g., medical, surgical)
Scoring Range	Potentially negative to over 100.	0–125.
Risk Factor Inclusion	Includes psychiatric-specific factors (e.g., diagnoses, agitation, sleep disturbance).	Focuses on general medical factors (e.g., IV lock, gait, secondary diagnosis).
High-Risk Threshold	Typically 90 or greater.	46 or greater.
Negative Scoring	Yes.	No.

The EPFRAT's specialized focus on psychiatric risks, such as impaired judgment and medication side effects, makes it more sensitive for this population. While the Morse scale is effective for general patients, it may not adequately capture the specific risks in psychiatric units.

Conclusion

The Edmonson fall risk score features a range that can extend into negative values for lower risk and has a typical high-risk threshold of 90 or greater. This tool is specifically tailored for psychiatric inpatients, incorporating risk factors unique to this population. By using the EPFRAT, healthcare providers can better identify and implement targeted fall prevention strategies, enhancing patient safety in psychiatric settings. The tool's continued use and refinement through research contribute to effective fall prevention.

For more information on the development and validation of the Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool, you can reference its original publication {Link: journals.healio.com https://journals.healio.com/doi/pdf/10.3928/02793695-20101202-03}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Edmonson score include negative numbers?

The Edmonson score includes negative numbers because the 'Fully Alert/Oriented' mental status category is assigned a score of -4. This can result in a negative total score for a patient with very few other risk factors, indicating a low risk of falling.

What is the maximum possible Edmonson score?

While the exact maximum score can vary depending on a patient's combination of risk factors, the potential maximum can exceed 100 when a patient scores the highest possible points in all categories, such as being over 80, having severe mental status issues, and a recent history of falls.

What does an Edmonson score of 90 mean?

An Edmonson score of 90 or greater is the threshold for classifying a patient as high-risk for falls in many healthcare facilities. This designation prompts the implementation of specific, enhanced fall prevention measures.

How is the Edmonson tool different from other fall risk scales?

The Edmonson tool differs by being tailored specifically for psychiatric inpatients, evaluating unique risk factors such as psychiatric diagnoses, sleep disturbance, and agitation. This specialization provides a more accurate risk assessment for this population compared to general-purpose scales.

Are there different risk levels associated with the Edmonson score?

For clinical purposes, the Edmonson score is primarily categorized into two risk levels: 'high risk' (score of 90 or greater) and 'not high risk' (score below 90).

Can a person's Edmonson score change over time?

Yes, a patient's Edmonson score can change. Factors like a change in medication, worsening mental status, or a new history of falls would lead to a re-assessment and potentially a new, higher score. The assessment is typically completed on admission and regularly during hospitalization.

What happens after a patient is identified as high-risk with the Edmonson tool?

When a patient is identified as high-risk, the care team initiates targeted interventions. This can include increased patient monitoring, providing assistance with ambulation, educating the patient and family about fall risks, and ensuring the environment is safe.