Stares: entry 3. Assessment

Situation:
77 y.o female adm 10/9/09 Dx with bilateral LL cellulitis. Presenting with increased oedema and itchiness. Pt had been experiencing symptoms for the past 2/52 prior to adm. community physiotherapy referral planned prior to D/C.
Task:
Perform a berg balance scale (BBS) to give community physio a baseline score.
Action:
Took pt to physiotherapy gym, set up a safe and quiet area to perform BBS. Explained how the test was to be preformed, why it was useful for the community physiotherapy service to have a reliable and easy to repeat measure to track the pt progress. Explained to the pt what each exercise was prior to performing it.
Results:
The pt understood how to perform this test, which allowed an accurate score to be produced. The pt scored 46/56 which is well below the mean female average of 53 for her age.
Evaluation:
I thought the balance assessment went well, the pt understood all the activities and it was performed safely.
Strategies:
Need to make sure I know what I want the pt to do and what to look for, so while the pt is performing the task all eyes are on the pt and their safety instead of glancing at the BBS proforma.