Equations

(Open Calc) Morse Fall Scale (MFS)

Background

1. A rapid and simple method of assessing a patient's risk of falling
   • Six variables has been shown to have predictive validity and interrater reliability
   • Used widely in acute care settings, both in the hospital and long-term care inpatient settings
2. The score is added up and recorded on the patient's chart
   • Risk level and therapy are then identified (eg., no interventions needed, standard fall prevention interventions, high-risk prevention interventions)

Questions

1. History of falling:
   • Scored as 25 if fallen during the present hospital admission or if there was an immediate history of physiological falls, such as from seizures or an impaired gait prior to admission
   • If the patient has not fallen, this is scored 0
   • Note: If a patient falls for the first time, then his or her score immediately increases by 25
2. Secondary diagnosis
   • Scored as 15 if more than one medical diagnosis is listed on the patient's chart
   • If not, score 0
3. Ambulatory aids
   • Scored as 0 if the patient walks without a walking aid (even if assisted by a nurse), uses a wheelchair, or is on a bed rest and does not get out of bed at all
   • If the patient uses crutches, a cane, or a walker, this item scores 15
   • If the patient ambulates clutching onto the furniture for support, score this item 30
4. Intravenous therapy
   • Scored as 20 if the patient has an intravenous apparatus or a heparin lock inserted
   • If not, score 0
5. Gait
   • A normal gait is characterized by the patient walking with head erect, arms swinging freely at the side, and striding without hesitant, this gait scores 0
   • With a weak gait(score as 10), the patient is stooped but is able to lift the head while walking without losing balance; steps are short and the patient may shuffle
   • With an impaired gait (score 20), the patient may have difficulty rising from the chair, attempting to get up by pushing on the arms of the chair/or by bouncing (i.e., by using several attempts to rise)
     • The patient's head is down, and he or she watches the ground
     • Because the patient's balance is poor, the patient grasps onto the furniture, a support person, or a walking aid for support and cannot walk without this assistance
6. Mental status
   • When using this Scale, mental status is measured by checking the patient's own self-assessment of his or her own ability to ambulate
   • Ask the patient, "Are you able to go to the bathroom alone or do you need assistance?"
     • If the patient's reply judging his or her own ability is consistent with the ambulatory order, the patient is rated as "normal" and scored 0
     • If the patient's response is not consistent with the nursing orders or if the patient's response is unrealistic, then the patient is considered to overestimate his or her own abilities and to be forgetful of limitations and scored as 15

Interpretation

1. MFS Score 0-24 = No Risk of falling; good basic nursing care
2. MFS Score 25-50 = Low Risk; implement standard fall prevention protocols
3. MFS Score 51 or greater = High Risk; implement high-risk fall prevention protocols

References

1. Morse JM, Black C, Oberle K, Donahue P. A prospective study to identify the fall-prone patient. Soc Sci Med. 1989;28(1):81-86

Updated/Reviewed: October 2018