OBJECTIVE: The International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) was designed to provide a common language by describing the function and disability of clients for health care professionals. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) in nursing and investigate its applicability in fall risk assessment.

METHODS: The Fall risk assessment system using the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) is based on the Downton fall risk assessment tool which is most commonly used to assess the risk of falls across populations in any health care setting. To develop system, we used NetBeans 5.0 within JAVA SE Development Kit 1.4.2 (JDK 1.4.2) and Microsoft Access 2003 database was used for the information storage.

RESULT: The International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) items can cover all items of the Downton fall risk assessment tool except for medication because there is no medication related items in the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF). We mapped patient's sensory deficit, mental state, and gait state in the Downton fall risk assessment with sensory function & pain, mental function, and mobility in the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) respectively. We also adapted the qualifier to measure the degree of impairment of patients in terms of performance and capacity.

CONCLUSION: Using the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF), nurses can assess functional and environmental factors of fall risk in more detail. This study proved the applicability of the International Classification of the Function, Disability and Health (ICF) in the nursing practice. Using the system we developed, nurses can better communicate with other healthcare specialists in the area of fall risk. We suggest further studies that are applying the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) in other areas of the nursing practice to more clearly describe the status of patients.