Fall risk assessment and transgender pts?

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

Published

Specializes in To be determined..

I feel a bit silly asking this question, but I'm just wondering...

I learned today that when assessing for fall risk, one point may be added purely for being male, because statistically, males are more likely to impulsively jump out of bed, be overconfident, etc.

But, what about transgender pts? Gender has become such a fluid concept. Anatomically, females are different from males (regardless of which gender a pt identifies with). Does the fact that a (biological) female exhibits traditional masculine traits make a difference? And when taking testosterone or estrogen, does that play a role? We watched a video on how to perform and explain the assessment to the pt - would a transgender pt be offended if I added a point for his/her sex? Am I looking into this too deeply? It's just something that came to mind... I'm a newbie, and I'm trying to understand everything and anything that comes my way. :down:

Thoughts? Experiences? I apologize if I've offended anybody.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

WHUT?

In all seriousness, the Fall Risk Assessment I perform at work doesn't ask about gender. Nor should it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm curious --- I've used a couple of different fall risk assessment tools and have never seen the gender of a patient listed as a category. What specific tool were you guys learning that makes a male a higher risk?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm sensing a disturbance in the force.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm sensing a disturbance in the force.....

surely not -- they watched a video and everything :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in To be determined..
I'm curious --- I've used a couple of different fall risk assessment tools and have never seen the gender of a patient listed as a category. What specific tool were you guys learning that makes a male a higher risk?

The Hendrich II Fall Risk Model. My instructor made it clear that every hospital/text book is different, but that's the specific model where I saw a "gender" category.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in To be determined..
WHUT?

In all seriousness, the Fall Risk Assessment I perform at work doesn't ask about gender. Nor should it.

I agree!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The Hendrich II Fall Risk Model. My instructor made it clear that every hospital/text book is different, but that's the specific model where I saw a "gender" category.

Thank you --- doing a little quick research about this model.. it was developed by using statistics from previous falls in elderly patients.. and that is its target population to day though they are attempting to validate it as a tool in other patient populations such as OB and peds..

The point that is given for gender (+1 for male) does not have anything to do with "risk taking" behavior.. just simply that elderly hospitalized males had more falls than females.

That being said -- if I were using this tool on any patient I would simply mark the box if the patient was a complete male (either born or surgical - no need to ask) and not mark it if they were female.. There is no reason to get into sexuality with these patients...

Just my 2 cents --- considering how the tool was developed...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm not transgendered, so I can't speak for the trans community as a whole. However, as an Ally, I'm finding it hard to not take offense to your post.

What Is your end game? Does gender or does sexual orientation or hormone level or personality determine your fall risk? I think you are barking up the wrong tree here. We are nurses. Not sex/sexual identity psych professionals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in To be determined..

That being said -- if I were using this tool on any patient I would simply mark the box if the patient was a complete male (either born or surgical - no need to ask) and not mark it if they were female.. There is no reason to get into sexuality with these patients...

Just my 2 cents --- considering how the tool was developed...

True. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in To be determined..
I'm not transgendered, so I can't speak for the trans community as a whole. However, as an Ally, I'm finding it hard to not take offense to your post.

What Is your end game? Does gender or does sexual orientation or hormone level or personality determine your fall risk? I think you are barking up the wrong tree here. We are nurses. Not sex/sexual identity psych professionals.

...No, it doesn't. I should've thought about what I was typing. I apologize. Hearing that gender was included in that specific test was just really, really weird - but you're right, this is about safety and not sexual identity. :banghead: Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I am sorry @stayorthostatic. When I read your post last night I honestly thought you were trolling. I should have a 10 minute delay imposed on my posting ability when I am that exhausted!

I looked at the Hendrich Scale...interesting. I am curious to know what some of our more seasoned nurses think.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment