Development of A Fall-prevention Care Behavior Evaluation Scale for Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment in A General Ward, with the Aim of Avoiding Physical Restraints during Hospitalization

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to develop a fall-prevention care evaluation scale for older adults with cognitive impairment in a general ward from the time of admission to avoid physical restraint and to examine the scale's validity and reliability. Methods: We asked 1128 nurses in general wards across Japan to take a self-administered anonymous questionnaire survey comprising scale of the 54 items. We received 308 responses, a response rate of 27.3%. We analyzed 303 nurses. Results: Our exploratory factor analysis (principal factor method: promax rotation) revealed a structure comprised of 5 factors and 22 items; the former were defined as [an approach that aims to convince from the time of hospitalization], [collaborative fall prevention that avoids the use of physical restraint], [care attitude that respects that person], [fall prevention technology to avoid restraint], and [Supporting activities that respect that person]. Model goodness-of-fit indices were as follows: CFI = .949, RMSEA = .061, a criterion-related validity of .792, a Cronbach's alpha of .947, and a test-retest reliability coefficient of .783. Conclusions: The above results show the validity and reliability of this scale. It was suggested that this scale could be used by a team of nurses to conduct fall-prevention care for the older adults with cognitive impairment to avoid physical restraints.