Date of Conferral
11-12-2025
Date of Award
November 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Julibeth Lauren
Abstract
This DNP staff education project was an initiative focused on improving fall-related knowledge among faculty members. The practice problem identified at the local project site was the frequent rate of patient falls. Analysis established the role of staff in the inefficient implementation of best practices and to the staff’s limited knowledge regarding the application of existing fall prevention strategies. The practice-focused question for this project was, In the emergency department setting, how does a fall prevention education program compared to pre-implementation practices, affect staff knowledge of fall prevention strategies within three months? The purpose of the project was to improve staff knowledge of fall risk factors and prevention strategies via education. Evidence from personal communications with the unit manager and colleagues highlighted the gap between knowledge and application of fall prevention strategies. This evidence facilitated the implementation of a staff education initiative. Results indicated improvements in staff knowledge of fall prevention strategies and risk factors, as was evidenced using a pre- and post-knowledge assessment. The implications to the staff and organization included the need for regular training towards the improvement of strategies focused on fall management. The conclusion of this project is that education can improve outcomes by improving faculty knowledge and implementation of best practices. The future recommendation is that training should be distributed online to accommodate faculty members with inflexible schedules. Potential implications of this project on nursing practice entail improved patient outcomes, staff competence, and job satisfaction. This project has the potential to positively impact social change as this knowledge attained can be applied in other units within the facility.
Recommended Citation
Odoh, Linda, "Staff Education on Fall Prevention in the Emergency Department" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18715.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18715
