Stroke patients have a higher risk of falling due to gender, age, postural sway, medications, cognitive status, changes in motor function, changes in sensory function, and nocturia (Zbobysz, 2005). Staff's lack of awareness of pre-disposing factors of falling or apathy to the issue is affecting patient safety. The purpose of this study is to examine the occurrence of falls and factors that predict on admission risk for falls. The theoretical framework is Patla and Shumway-Cook Measures of Environmentally Determined Mobility Disability (2002). The sample will include 420 stroke patients admitted to a rehabilitation center at a Midwestern, acute care hospital. Instrument will be the Uniform Data Functional Independence Measure and information obtained related to stroke patient falls. The Uniform Data System Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores that are recorded on rehab admission will measure functional status. The study will examine data from 2004-2007 related to stroke admission FIM scores and patient falls. The relationship between admission FIM scores (cognitive and motor) and the incidence of falls during the first 5 days of an inpatient rehabilitation stay will be measured to better predict a patient's risk of falling.
Research Papers [5100] Research papers submitted to the Graduate School by Ball State University master's degree candidates in partial fulfillment of degree requirements.