Date of Conferral

11-29-2024

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Jody Minnick

Abstract

The focus of this doctoral project was to address the practice problem of polypharmacy and its association with falls among older adults with psychiatric conditions. The existing evidence shows that polypharmacy, which is defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications, increases the risk of falls, which leads to hospitalization, higher healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life (Varghese et al., 2024). Within the practice setting, it is Crucial to manage polypharmacy to enhance patient safety. The purpose of this project was to enhance medical staff knowledge regarding effective evidence-based strategies for reducing polypharmacy, through an educational presentation. The effectiveness of this presentation was assessed using pre/post-test knowledge tests. The findings indicated significant improvements in staff knowledge, with average post-intervention scores rising from 45% to 75%, demonstrating the educational program’s effectiveness in bridging knowledge gaps. Based on the evaluated literature, key recommendations involve regular medication reviews, deprescribing protocols, and ongoing staff education. This project may contribute to positive social change by educating staff and providers on strategies to address the associated risks with polypharmacy-related falls among older psychiatric adults. This project has the potential to reduce costs associated with falls, reduce complications related to polypharmacy, and promote a safer environment for psychiatric individuals and their families.

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