Date of Conferral

8-6-2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Corinne Wheeler

Abstract

Objective This project aimed to enhance nursing staff knowledge and engagement in evidence-based fall prevention strategies, addressing the practice problem of inconsistent staff education and the absence of a standardized fall prevention protocol, contributing to high patient fall rates in acute care settings. Design The project employed an educational session both in-person and online. A pre- and post-test education design, utilizing knowledge assessments (pre-test and post-test) and qualitative feedback to evaluate the impact of a structured education program on nursing staff knowledge related to fall prevention. The education module focused on risk assessment tools, including the Morse Fall Scale, and patient-specific fall prevention interventions. Setting The project was implemented in a rural acute care hospital setting, specifically targeting nursing staff on the medical-surgical unit. Participants Seventeen licensed nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel participated in the education program. Participants were required to attend the education session, which was delivered both in person and online to accommodate varying schedules. Results Pre- and post-education tests demonstrated a significant improvement in staff knowledge, with a mean pre-test score of 85% and a post-test score of 96%, resulting in a normalized learning gain of 12%. Fall incident data showed reduced fall events, and improved documentation practices were observed post-education. Conclusion The education program successfully improved staff knowledge of fall prevention strategies, aligning with the organization’s quality improvement goals. This project highlights the importance of standardized, ongoing staff education in promoting patient safety and reducing fall-related incidents. Recommendations include annual mandatory fall prevention training, integrating fall prevention education into new hire orientations, and ongoing staff competencies across all inpatient units.

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