Fall risk assessment tools for use among older adults in long-term care settings: A systematic review of the literature

ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review of published fall risk assessment tools (FRATs) tested for predictive validity among older adults in long-term care (LTC). MethodsA systematic search was conducted using five databases. Only studies reporting on sensitivity and specificity values, conducted in LTC on populations primarily aged over 60 years, were considered. ResultsFifteen papers were included and three different categories of FRATs emerged: multifactorial assessment tools, functional mobility assessments and algorithms. Several FRATs showed moderate-to-good predictive validity and reliability, with the Modified Fall Assessment Tool and the Peninsula Health Falls Risk Assessment Tool (PHFRAT) also demonstrating good feasibility. ConclusionEvidence for the best choice of FRAT for use in LTC remains limited. Further research is warranted for the PHFRAT, recommended for use in LTC by best practice guidelines, before its establishment as the tool of choice for these clinical settings. Practice Impact: Evidence-based practice is crucial for fall risk assessment in long-term care (LTC) facilities. This article provides an up-to-date summary and comparison of fall risk assessment tools tested for predictive validity in LTC and will impact on practice by aiding clinicians when choosing evidence-based tools for this setting.