Page 19 - FALL GUIDELINES MOH 2019

4.0 RISK FACTORS FOR FALLS
Managing falls risk is a crucial part of falls intervention, to prevent falls and reduce risk of
recurrent falls. Causes of falls in the hospital are usually multifactorial, especially in older
persons. Risk factors can be intrinsic or extrinsic.

EXTRINSIC
INTRINSIC
ENVIRONMENTAL NON-ENVIRONMENTAL

 Cognitive  Lack of grab bars  Inappropriate
impairment/mood  Slippery floors footwear
disorders  Uneven walking  Inappropriate walking
 Dementia surfaces aids
 Delirium  Obstacles and tripping  Lack of attention or
 Depression hazards assistance from staff
 Dim lighting or glare  Drugs
 Weakness  Poor stair design  Alcohol
 Weakness due to  Carpets and mats  Bifocal glasses
underlying  Furniture height
musculoskeletal and  Height of shelves and
neurological disorders, other fixtures
eg stroke, spinal cord
injury
 Weakness due to
deconditioning or
disuse wasting

 Movement disorders
 Parkinsonism
 Dyskinesia
 Dystonia

 Vestibular problems
 Central causes, eg
cerebellar stroke
 Peripheral causes, eg.
BPPV, vestibular
neuritis, Meniere’s
disease

 Syncope/near syncope, eg.
 Cardiogenic syncope
 Neurogenic syncope
 Vasovagal attack

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