Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Cheryl McGinnis

Abstract

Falls have negative effects on the confidence, function, and quality of life in older adults and are major cause of injury and death among this population. The quality assurance report in a long-term care facility identified an average of 10 falls per week in the last quarter of 2017. The facility has a person-centered policy, which creates fall prevention challenges when usual fall protective practices are prohibited. The purpose of this education program was to educate staff nurses working with patients in a long-term care facility on additional evidenced based practices to prevent falls and injuries without compromising the person-centered policy. The staff education program was developed from a falls management program adapted by The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Knowles’ adult education model guided the development of the program. Eighteen staff nurses participated in the education program. The nurses completed a pretest prior to participating in the fall prevention program and a posttest after completing the program. Fourteen out of the 18 staff nurses who participated in the evidence-based program scored above average, between 80 and 100 points in the pretest. The mean for the pretest was 83 as compared to 100 in the posttest. This outcome provides an insight into the gap in practice for fall prevention. Recommendations included the need to establish consistency in fall prevention education through periodic training of all staff nurses to reinforce evidence-based fall prevention practices. This project underscores the importance of educating staff nurses about strategies that have the potential for fall prevention. Reducing or preventing falls in long term care will improve the quality of life and functionality of the residents and increase their independence.

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