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MDS Alert

Fall Assessment:

Don't Let Falls Trip Up Your Survey: Use These MDS Sections To Identify Residents At Risk

Published on Sat Oct 02, 2004

To identify fall risk, target these MDS items (among others), which include the usual suspects and some often overlooked causes of falls:

Incontinence (Section H)

Unsteady gait (Section J)

A balance problem (Section G)

Cognitive impairment (Section B)

Weight gain/edema (Section J)

Pain (Section J)

Syncope, dizziness/vertigo (Section J)

Hallucinations (Section J)

Source: Debra Hagerty, RN, MSN, NHA

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