According to the guidance from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a falls risk assessment is a clinical evaluation that should include the following, but are not limited to: A history of fall circumstances Review of all medications and doses Evaluation of gait and balance, mobility levels and lower extremity joint function Examination of vision Examination of neurological function, muscle strength, proprioception, reflexes, and tests of cortical, extrapyramidal, and cerebellar function Cognitive evaluation Screening for depression Assessment of postural blood pressure Assessment of heart rate and rhythm Assessment of heart rate and rhythm, and blood pressure responses to carotid sinus stimulation, if appropriate Assessment of home environment The falls risks assessment should be followed by direct intervention on the identified risk. The plan of care must include: Consideration of appropriate assistance device The medical record must include: documentation that an assistive device was provided or considered OR referral for evaluation for an appropriate assistance device); and Balance, strength, and gait training The medical record must include: documentation that balance, strength, and gait training/instructions were provided OR referral to an exercise program, which includes at least one of the three components: balance, strength or gait.
According to the guidance from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a falls risk assessment is a clinical evaluation that should include the following, but are not limited to: A history of fall circumstances Review of all medications and doses Evaluation of gait and balance, mobility levels and lower extremity joint function Examination of vision Examination of neurological function, muscle strength, proprioception, reflexes, and tests of cortical, extrapyramidal, and cerebellar function Cognitive evaluation Screening for depression Assessment of postural blood pressure Assessment of heart rate and rhythm Assessment of heart rate and rhythm, and blood pressure responses to carotid sinus stimulation, if appropriate Assessment of home environment The falls risks assessment should be followed by direct intervention on the identified risk. The plan of care must include: Consideration of appropriate assistance device The medical record must include: documentation that an assistive device was provided or considered OR referral for evaluation for an appropriate assistance device); and Balance, strength, and gait training The medical record must include: documentation that balance, strength, and gait training/instructions were provided OR referral to an exercise program, which includes at least one of the three components: balance, strength or gait.
3_advisory_preventing_falls_in_the_medical_office_smbl_7.29.15.docx