Strengths and Limitations
A major strength of the present study is the fact that the data accuracy was ensured by individual review of each subject’s EMR. Administrative coding was used only for the initial identification of potential subjects for inclusion. Although 28.5% of potential subjects were excluded from this analysis, > 50% of such exclusions were due to death as the reason for discharge and transient AF associated with an acute medical stressor. Other strengths include the length of follow-up (1,050 ± 869 days, excluding subject deaths) and the generalizability of the subject population. The major weakness of this study is the relatively small sample size and its retrospective methodology.
Summary
The validity of the MFS modified for the postdischarge setting was demonstrated as a readily available tool for identifying patients with AF at high risk of falls following a hospital stay. Such a tool should allow physicians to appropriately prescribe anticoagulation therapy for those patients with AF who are at a lower risk of falls.
Author disclosures
The author reports no actual or potential conflicts of interest with regard to this article.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Federal Practitioner, Frontline Medical Communications Inc., the U.S. Government, or any of its agencies. This article may discuss unlabeled or investigational use of certain drugs. Please review complete prescribing information for specific drugs or drug combinations—including indications, contraindications, warnings, and adverse effects—before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.