Glasgow Coma Scale as a Correlate of Fall Risk Measured by the Morse Fall Scale in the Emergency Department
Abstract
Background. Patient falls in the emergency department (ED) represent a serious adverse event. Although the Morse Fall Scale is commonly used for fall risk assessment, its integration with objective neurological measures, such as the Glasgow Coma Scale, in ED settings remains limited.
Aim. To investigate the correlation between Glasgow Coma Scale scores and Morse Fall Scale scores in adult ED patients.
Methods. A cross-sectional analytical observational study was conducted using medical records of 72 adult patients in the ED. Glasgow Coma Scale scores and Morse Fall Scale scores were extracted from initial nursing assessments. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to evaluate associations, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results. A strong negative correlation was observed between Glasgow Coma Scale scores and Morse Fall Scale scores (r = –0.714, p < 0.001), indicating that lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores were associated with higher Morse Fall Scale scores. The median Glasgow Coma Scale score was 14 (range: 3–15), and the median Morse Fall Scale score was 40 (range: 0–85).
Conclusions. Glasgow Coma Scale scores are significantly correlated with fall risk as assessed by the Morse Fall Scale in ED patients. Incorporating the Glasgow Coma Scale into existing fall risk assessment protocols may enhance the identification of patients at higher risk of falls and provide additional clinical guidance for preventive interventions.
Keywords: emergency nursing; fall prediction; Glasgow Coma Scale; Morse Fall Scale; patient safety
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