Evaluation of Psychometric Properties of ITAKI Fall Risk Scale

Abstract

Background: In order to prevent patient falls, it is first necessary to determine the fall risk factors and preventive interventions for these factors. To determine the fall risk factors of patients correctly, a valid and reliable risk assessment tool is needed. Objectives: The aim of the research is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the ITAKI Fall Risk Scale. Methods: The research is case-control methodologically designed and conducted at a university and educational research hospital. The information of 605 patients in the case and control groups was accessed from the computing software of the hospitals and patient files. The reliability of the scale was evaluated by calculating the Cronbach alpha coefficient and item total score correlation, and validity was evaluated by ROC curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative foresight values. Results: Cronbach alpha coefficient of the scale was calculated as .46. It was determined that the six items in the scale did not have a statistically significant correlation with the total score. The sensitivity value of the scale was calculated as .91, specificity value .17, positive prediction value .36 and negative prediction value .78. As a result of the ROC analysis, the Under the Area of ROC Curve was calculated as .58 (p = .006, 95% Confidence Intervals = .53 - .64). Conclusion: Reliability and discrimination validity of ITAKI Fall Risk Scale were found low. For future research, it is recommended that the scale is revised and applied in a larger sample.

Keywords

• patient falls
• fall risk factor
• itaki
• psychometric properties