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How do we integrate a fall risk assessment into our comprehensive assessment?

Thu, Dec 24, 2009

Data Elements

How do we integrate a fall risk assessment into our comprehensive assessment?

Q: How are we to integrate a “standardized & validated” fall risk assessment into our comprehensive assessment? How do we know if they are standardized & validated? What are others using?

A: For the purposes of OASIS-C, a standardized tool is one that has been scientifically tested and validated as effective in identifying the specified condition or risk in a population with characteristics similar to the patient being evaluated. A standardized tool includes a standard response scale, and must be appropriately administered based on established instructions. CMS does not mandate which tools are to used to assess each high-risk process item. Chapter 5 of the OASIS-C Guidance Manual includes a list of optional tools and links as a resource for agencies in implementing these tools.

This post was written by:

Casey Ramsdell

Casey is an associate editor at Beacon Health, the homecare division of HCPro,Inc. She serves as the editor of Beacon Health's newsletter for administrators Homecare Administrator, contributes to Beacon's print and electronic publications, moderates audio conferences, and manages OASIS-Central. Casey has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Northeastern University in Boston.

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