Clinical Risk Assessment Tools are specific assessments that are used to measure levels of risk for certain situations, procedures and outcomes in hospitals and other healthcare settings. In the clinical setting, nurses use a variety of clinical risk assessment tools that will help with the patients care. This presentation will provide an outline of two key risk assessment tools: 1. Braden Scale, which is used to predict pressure sore risk. 2. Falls Risk Assessment, which is used to predict the likelihood of a fall occurring. Risk assessment scales and screenshots of relevant forms are included in this presentation. This presentation was compiled by Gulzar Malik, an experienced and qualified Nursing Educator at IHNA. For more information about our return to nursing programs, please call 1800 22 52 83.

1. Risk Assessment Tools

2. Clinical Risk Assessment Tools
The Office of the Senior Practitioner DHS, defines risk as
“The chance of somebody getting hurt, being in danger, or
doing something dangerous to other people.”

3. Clinical Risk Assessment Tools
Clinical Risk Assessment Tools are specific assessments that
are used to measure levels of risk for certain situations,
procedures and outcomes.

4. Clinical Risk Assessment Tools
In the clinical setting, nurses use a variety of clinical risk
assessment tools that will help with the patients care.

5. Clinical Risk Assessment Tools
Braden Scale is used to predict pressure sore risk.

7. Clinical Risk Assessment Tools
Falls Risk Assessment is
used to predict the
likelihood of a fall
occurring.

10. Clinical Risk Assessment Tools
• The Women’s defines Clinical risk management as
“an approach to improving the quality and safety of
health care by identifying circumstances that put
patients at risk and then acting to prevent or control
those risks.”
• Clinical Risk is usually reviewed by the Quality
Committee.

11. Clinical Risk Assessment Tools
The Women’s defines Clinical risk management as “an
approach to improving the quality and safety of health
care by identifying circumstances that put patients at
risk and then acting to prevent or control those risks.”

12. Clinical Risk Assessment Tools
• Frequency Definition
• Rare > 3 yearly
• Unlikely 1-3 yearly
• Occasionally 6 months - 1 year
• Likely once every 6 months
• Almost certain daily to monthly

13. Clinical Risk Assessment Tools
The table is used to rate the actual outcome of
adverse events

14. Nursing Care Plans, Clinical Pathways
and Clinical Risk Assessment Tools
Clinical Risk Assessment Tools should be filled out on
admission so that clinical pathways and nursing care plans
can meet the needs of the patient.

15. References
• Queensland Health 2009, Clinical Pathways, Queensland
Government, viewed 11th October 2010
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/cpic/service_improve/clinical_pathw
ays.asp
• The Office of Senior Practitioner 2009, Positive solutions in practice:
clinical risk assessment and management in people with an
intellectual disability, State Government Victoria, viewed 11th
October 2010
• http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/432489/os
p_clinicalriskassessriskmanageinpeoplewithintellectdis_easyread_p
df_0510.pdf

16. References
• Aged care in Victoria 2009, Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT),
Victorian Government Health Information, viewed 11th
October 2010,
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/agedcare/maintaining/falls/pro
viders/rac/plans_frat.htm
• Our Organisation The Women’s 2010, Risk Management
Guidelines, The Royal Women’s Hospital, viewed 11th October
2010,
http://intranet.thewomens.org.au/RiskManagementGuideline
s?searchTerms[]=risk&searchTerms[]=assessment

17. IHNA offers qualifications in aged
care, disability and nursing. Go to
http://www.ihna.edu.au to kick
start your health career.
Thank you for
viewing this
presentation!