The development of the RISK tool for fall prevention.

The authors tailored a 26-item risk assessment tool (RAT) for falls based on a literature review and an analysis of causative factors of falls that had occurred over a 3-month period at the Olin E. Teague VA Medical Center, an 1,100-bed acute medical-surgical, psychiatric, and extended care facility in Temple, TX. The RAT was completed by nursing staff on 10 patient units (four medical, four surgical, and two nursing home units) for all admissions during the period. A 25% sample of the completed RATs was randomly selected (n = 208). Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to identify factors that would most likely predict falls from the RATs of the randomly selected group and of the patients who fell (n = 78). Only 4 of the 26 items were statistically related to falls. Based on findings from this study, the RAT was shortened to the four items and called the RISK (Reassessment Is Safe "Kare") tool.