VMS criteria
The VMS criteria are delirium, risk of falling, physical functioning and malnutrition.
The risk of delirium can be increased by infection, fever, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, polypharmacy, use of drugs with psychoactive effects, bladder catheter, constipation, pain, fixation, sleep/wake disturbances, surgery, immobilization and iatrogenic complications. People with dementia have an increased risk of delirium, so it is wise to take preventive measures for someone with early dementia
The risk of falling can be increased by diseases of the cardiovascular system, cardiovascular medication and visual disturbances.
Physical functioning can be reduced by admission to hospital due to, among other things, being bedridden and less muscle recruitment.
The risk of malnutrition is increased by admission to hospital, because sick people often have a lower appetite.
Instruments to screen delirium, malnutrition, functioning and risk of falling are
- Delirium: Delirium Observation Scale https://www.vmszorg.nl/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DOSS-observatieschaal.pdf
- malnutrition: Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool or Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ) https://www.vmszorg.nl/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/MUST.pdf of SNAQ: Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire. https://www.vmszorg.nl/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/SnaqRc_Combidoc_BMI1.pdf
- Physical functioning: KATZ https://www.vmszorg.nl/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Katz_ADL_6_met_score.pdf
- Fall risk: fall-risk test https://www.zorgvoorbeter.nl/valpreventie-ouderen/risico-vallen
Bron: Praktijkgids kwetsbare ouderen (2017)
https://www.vmszorg.nl/praktijkvoorbeelden-en-tools/praktijkgids-kwetsbare-ouderen/