Question
Can you please review the different types of falls and why anticipated physiologic is so prevalent?
Answer
There are several types of falls that might be seen. Accidental falls are when the fall happened by accident. Unanticipated physiologic means that the patient does not have any risk factors. Anticipated physiologic means that the patient has risk factors. The reason we went through the different tests, risk factors, and assessments is because people who have those are more at risk for falling. If you look at those particular things that pop up, like orthostatic hypertension, having an assistive device, having decreased strength, poor balance, poor reaction time, etc., then an assessment is recommended. Seventy-eight percent of all the falls that we see could have been identified by a test or by a risk assessment. For example, I have worked in long-term care for a long time and oftentimes will hear people say to me, "oh, well, she just slipped on the floor because it was wet and she did not see the water. It is an isolated incident that will never happen again." Maybe that is true but you have to then step back and question, "Is it really an accidental fall?" The vast majority of falls can be examined and a determination made that there was something that would have led us to know that patient was at risk for falling. For example, the risk factor might be poor vision, environmental barriers, etc.
