Falls are among the most common adverse events in hospitals. The Morse scale takes a few minutes and guides prevention such as bed alarms, supervised walking and non-slip footwear.
How to use the Morse Fall Scale Calculator
- History of falling (in the past 3 months or this admission)
- Secondary diagnosis (more than one medical diagnosis)
- Ambulatory aid
- IV therapy or heparin lock
- Gait
- Mental status
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Each answer carries the points shown in the published score. The calculator adds them up and maps the total to the published interpretation.
Scoring table
| Item | Answers and points |
|---|---|
| History of falling (in the past 3 months or this admission) | No = 0; Yes = 25 |
| Secondary diagnosis (more than one medical diagnosis) | No = 0; Yes = 15 |
| Ambulatory aid | None, bed rest or nurse assist = 0; Crutches, cane or walker = 15; Holds on to furniture = 30 |
| IV therapy or heparin lock | No = 0; Yes = 20 |
| Gait | Normal, bed rest or wheelchair = 0; Weak = 10; Impaired = 20 |
| Mental status | Oriented to own ability = 0; Overestimates or forgets limitations = 15 |
Tips
- Assess on a typical day, not during an acute illness, unless the tool asks otherwise.
- Involve family or carers who know the person’s usual abilities.
- Repeat assessments regularly to track change.
- Use results to plan support, not to label people.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Scoring what the person could do rather than what they actually do.
- Ignoring hearing or vision problems during cognitive tests.
- Using a single score to decide care without a full assessment.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| History of falling (in the past 3 months or this admission) | Choose one: No, Yes |
| Secondary diagnosis (more than one medical diagnosis) | Choose one: No, Yes |
| Ambulatory aid | Choose one: None, bed rest or nurse assist, Crutches, cane or walker, Holds on to furniture |
| IV therapy or heparin lock | Choose one: No, Yes |
| Gait | Choose one: Normal, bed rest or wheelchair, Weak, Impaired |
| Mental status | Choose one: Oriented to own ability, Overestimates or forgets limitations |
Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Formula
Score = sum of the points for each item
Worked example
Inputs — History of falling (in the past 3 months or this admission): No; Secondary diagnosis (more than one medical diagnosis): Yes; Ambulatory aid: None, bed rest or nurse assist; IV therapy or heparin lock: No; Gait: Weak; Mental status: Oriented to own ability.
Results — Morse fall score = 25 / 125; Fall risk = Moderate risk – standard fall prevention.
Key terms
- Fall prevention
- Measures to reduce falls, such as supervision and safe footwear.
Frequently asked questions
What Morse score is high risk?
45 or more in most hospitals.
How often should it be done?
On admission, after a fall and when the condition changes.
Does it work outside hospitals?
It was designed for inpatients; other tools are used in the community.