Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Joanne Minnick

Abstract

Patient falls in health care settings are a widespread and severe problem, and they often happen as a result of a complex set of causes. In the United States, between 3.3 and 11.5 falls occur per 1,000 patient days. Reducing the incidence of falls in a health care setting would bring significant positive change and decrease the incidence of harm to patients in the hospital setting. This staff education project’s purpose is based on addressing falls, a safety concern and a health issue that continues to put patients at an increased risk. Theories used to inform the project include the goal-setting theory, the theory of reasoned action/planned behavior, the protection motivation theory, and the goals attainment theory. The question identified for the project was whether a staff education program based on reducing falls in patients who use opioid narcotics, sleep aids, and/or other pain medications would improve the staff's knowledge in fall prevention within the hospital setting. A staff education module on fall prevention utilizing a PowerPoint, pretest, and posttest assessment tool was created and given to 10 healthcare providers who attended the program to assess for a change in knowledge. The participants responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and proportional statistical analysis. Initial scores from the educational intervention pretest showed an average of 60.4% and post intervention scores were 89.9%. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to validate the findings and showed significant improvement post the educational intervention. The fall rate pre-intervention was 23%; post intervention rate reduced to 17%. Positive social change includes decreasing the rate of falls, decreasing length of stay due to complications of falls, and the possibility of improving patient outcomes overall.

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