Article

OBJECTIVE: To calculate scale performance of the newly developed Hessisch
Oldendorf Fall Risk Scale (HOSS) for classifying fallers and non-fallers in
comparison with the Risk of Falling Scale by Huhn (FSH),
a frequently used
assessment tool. DESIGN:
A prospective observational trail was conducted.
SETTING: The study was performed in a large specialized neurological
rehabilitation facility. SUBJECTS: The study population ( n = 690) included
neurological and neurosurgery patients during neurological rehabilitation with
varying levels of disability. Around the half of the study patients were
independent and dependent in the activities of daily living (ADL), respectively.
INTERVENTIONS: Fall risk of each patient was assessed by HOSS and FSH within the
first seven days after admission. MAIN MEASURES: Event of fall during
rehabilitation was compared with HOSS and FSH scores as well as the according
fall risk. Scale performance including sensitivity and specificity was calculated
for both scales. RESULTS: A total of 107 (15.5%) patients experienced at least
one fall. In general, fallers were characterized by an older age, a prolonged
length of stay, and a lower Barthel Index (higher dependence in the ADL) on
admission than non-fallers.
The verification of fall prediction for both scales
showed a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 64% for the HOSS scale, and a
sensitivity of 98% with a specificity of 12% for the FSH scale, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The HOSS shows an adequate sensitivity, a higher specificity and
therefore a better scale performance than the FSH.
Thus, the HOSS might be
superior to existing assessments.

Langue : ANGLAIS