Falls clinic tests explained

Transcription

1 Falls clinic tests explained Day Hospital RDaSH Doncaster Community Integrated Services

2 Have you had one or more falls recently? It happens to more people than you think. It can be a common problem and may be frightening. There are simple steps you can take to avoid falling again and also rebuild your confidence so that you can lead an independent life once more. such as your past medical history, medication, what you can/or cannot do for yourself. If any problems are highlighted they may refer you to another professional with your consent. What follows should explain some of the tests you may have as a result of seeing the day hospital team. When you attend day hospital, a member of staff may talk to you so that they can ask you for information about yourself; Blood pressure reading (BP) Postural BP reading This is how the pressure of your blood in your arteries is measured. There are two sets of numbers; the first represents the highest level the BP reaches when the heart beats and pumps blood around the body. The second number, the lowest, is when the heart relaxes, high BP is called hypertension and low BP is called hypotension. This may involve you lying on a bed for a few minutes, then your BP being taken. You will be asked to stand and your BP will be taken again and if possible measured again after two minutes. This is to see if your BP drops when you stand, which is known as postural hypotension. 2 Falls clinic tests explained

3 24 hour BP This involves having your BP measured every 20 minutes during the day and about every hour during the night. You attend hospital to have it fitted and return 24 hours later to have it removed and the results are sent to the doctor. Blood tests This is when a nurse / doctor takes some of your blood, so that it can be checked for certain diseases or conditions. It also lets the doctor know if your organs are working properly and if you are taking tablets, that they are working. Electrocardiogram (ECG) An ECG is a simple test which you can have in the day hospital. It involves placing sticky tabs called electrodes on your arms, legs and chest, which is how the leads are connected to you from the machine. It records and prints out the electrical signals the heart makes. 24 hour ECG This is an ECG which is kept on for 24 hours and you can walk about with it. You need to attend hospital to have it fitted and the following day to have it removed. 3

4 Echocardiogram Also known as an Echo. This is a painless test which involves some lubricating gel being rubbed on to the chest so that a piece of equipment can use sound waves to make a detailed picture of your heart, to check how the heart looks and how it is working. Tilt table test This is a simple, painless test which can help find the causes of fainting or light-headedness. It involves lying on a table which is tilted either up or down while your blood pressure (BP) and heart rate are closely monitored. It is useful if you have problems with your BP on standing. Exercise tolerance test X-rays This is another kind of ECG. It records your heart when you are active. The exercise starts slowly then gradually increases in speed. You will be carefully monitored. It lasts about 15 minutes. Should you feel chest pain or shortness of breath, let the staff know. It is best to wear light, comfortable clothes and shoes. There are many types of X-ray. They can tell doctors many things, like checking for broken bones, wear and tear of the joints (arthritis) or if someone has a chest infection. X-rays are painless and usually quick and simple. They use a tiny amount of electromagnetic radiation to make the images which appear either on a computer or a special film. 4 Falls clinic tests explained

5 Dexa scan Nerve conduction test Ultrasound scan (USS) There are two kinds of Dexa scan machines. A large one called a central Dexa, which measures your hips and spine, and a smaller one called a peripheral Dexa, which measures your wrists, heels and fingers. Dexa scans use two sources of x-ray to measure how dense or strong your bones are. Using two x- ray sources makes it more accurate. A low score shows that the bones are not as strong as they should be. The scan takes about minutes, depending on which bones are measured. This test measures the speed that impulses (nerve signals) travel through nerves. This is done by putting sticky patches called electrodes on the skin over nerves at different points on your body, then a very mild electrical impulse is sent from one patch to another. The time and distance between the two patches is then measured. It can feel uncomfortable, but should not be painful. A USS is a common, painless test that uses sound waves to make images of organs and structures of the body. It takes about minutes. You lie on a couch and lubricating gel is put on your skin so that a special device can make good contact with your body. The equipment is connected to a monitor which records the images of your body that need to be checked. 5

6 Computerised Tomography scan (CT) CT scan is a special kind of scanner which takes several x-rays at the same time from different angles. It allows the doctors to look at a cross section of the inside of your body, without having to operate or do certain examinations. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) This kind of scan makes detailed pictures of the insides of your body, including your heart, blood vessels and even measures the flow of your blood. It is painless and takes about an hour. It is not suitable for people who have a pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator. Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) Name: r s Signature: ORIENTATION GP: MINI-MENTAL STATE EXAMINATION Correct Incorrect Correct Incorrect we Address Year Where are Floor Month Date Town Day What is the County Season Country Orientation score (Total Correct) Correct Inco A commonly used test, which screens a person s memory and thinking ability. It only takes 10 minutes to do. 2) REGISTRATION I am going to name three objects. After I have finished Ball saying all three, I want you to repeat them. Remember Flag what they are because I am going to name them again Tree in a few minutes of repeats (Maximum 5) Registration Score (Total correct) rect 6 Falls clinic tests explained

7 Contact details Day Hospital Tickhill Road Hospital Tickhill Road Balby Doncaster DN4 8QN

8 This information is correct at the time of publishing Last Reviewed: October 2012 get approved We are a smokefree organisation DP7016/9283/10.12