Welcome to the Hester Davis Scale Calculator! This tool helps healthcare professionals and caregivers quickly determine a patient’s risk of falling during hospitalization or care. By inputting patient-specific details like age, mobility, medications, and recent fall history, the calculator produces a score that indicates whether the patient is at low, moderate, or high risk. The design is straightforward, requiring only a checklist of patient factors, making it both fast and reliable. You can start assessing right away, or continue reading to learn how the scale works, what the scoring categories mean, and see an example calculation.
Understanding the Formula
The Hester Davis Scale evaluates fall risk by adding points from several categories related to patient health and behavior.
Primary Formula
Hester Davis Score = (Age Score) + (Last Known Fall Score) + (Mobility Score) + (Medications Score) + (Mental Status Score) + (Toileting Needs Score) + (Volume/Electrolyte Status Score) + (Communication/Sensory Score) + (Behavior Score)
Variable Calculations (Scoring Categories):
1. Age Score
Points are automatically assigned depending on the patient’s age bracket.
2. Last Known Fall Score
Only one option can be chosen. Points are based on how recently the patient has fallen (e.g., this admission, last month, or within 3 months).
3. Mobility Score
Points are given for conditions like needing assistance to walk, using a cane or walker, paralysis, or general unsteadiness.
4. Medications Score
Points depend on high-risk medications such as sedatives, diuretics, or cardiovascular drugs.
5. Mental Status Score
Factors include confusion, memory problems, poor awareness, or reduced consciousness.
6. Toileting Needs Score
Includes incontinence, diarrhea, catheter use, or requiring help to use the restroom.
7. Volume/Electrolyte Status Score
Considers dehydration, fluid overload, or abnormal sodium/potassium levels.
8. Communication/Sensory Score
Factors include hearing loss, vision impairment, speech difficulties, or being nonverbal.
9. Behavior Score
Looks at risk-related behaviors such as impulsiveness, agitation, or substance abuse.
Score Interpretation
- Low Risk: 7 – 10 points
- Moderate Risk: 11 – 14 points
- High Risk: 15 points or higher
In short, the higher the score, the greater the patient’s risk of falling.
Parameters Explained
Age Score: Assigns automatic points based on age, since older patients typically face higher fall risk.
Last Known Fall Score: Considers how recently a fall occurred; more recent falls indicate higher risk.
Mobility Score: Captures how independently the patient can move, including whether they need devices or assistance.
Medications Score: Reflects the effects of drugs that may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or instability.
Mental Status Score: Identifies cognitive or judgment issues that might lead to unsafe movements.
Toileting Needs Score: Recognizes frequent bathroom needs or complications like incontinence, which increase fall chances.
Volume/Electrolyte Status Score: Detects hydration and electrolyte imbalances that can cause weakness or confusion.
Communication/Sensory Score: Considers impairments that limit awareness of surroundings or the ability to ask for help.
Behavior Score: Accounts for actions or tendencies that raise fall risks, such as impulsivity or restlessness.
How to Use the Hester Davis Scale Calculator — Step-by-Step Example
Let’s calculate the fall risk for a patient:
- Age: 75 years → 2 points
- Last Known Fall: Within last month → 3 points
- Mobility: Uses a walker and is unsteady → 4 points
- Medications: On diuretics and sedatives → 3 points
- Mental Status: Mild confusion → 2 points
- Toileting Needs: Needs assistance, occasional incontinence → 2 points
- Volume/Electrolyte Status: Slight dehydration → 1 point
- Communication/Sensory: Hearing impairment → 1 point
- Behavior: Impulsiveness → 2 points
Step 1: Add all points.
2 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 20
Step 2: Interpret the result.
Score = 20 → High Risk
This means the patient has a significant chance of falling and requires preventive measures, such as closer monitoring, mobility aids, and safety interventions.
Additional Information
Here is a simplified reference for interpretation:
| Score Range | Risk Level |
|---|---|
| 7 – 10 | Low Risk |
| 11 – 14 | Moderate Risk |
| 15 or more | High Risk |
FAQs
It is a clinical tool used to assess and prevent patient falls by identifying those at higher risk.
It is mainly used by nurses, doctors, and caregivers in hospitals, nursing homes, or rehabilitation centers.
It should be assessed upon admission, after a fall, when health conditions change, or at regular intervals during care.