Date of Conferral
11-14-2025
Date of Award
November 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Mark Wells
Abstract
Older adults are particularly susceptible to post-fall injuries and loss of independence. This project was implemented to decrease the number of resident falls within a long-term care setting by enhancing the knowledge and daily routine of direct-care personnel. Falls remain one of the most frequent and severe safety concerns. Although policies on fall prevention are in place, workers often inconsistently incorporate risk evaluation and fail to identify all the causes of a fall. The purpose of this project was to determine whether a structured educational program could raise the level of knowledge about fall-prevention and provide safer care practices. The education plan entails a 45-minute face-to-face session based on national geriatric guidelines. The participants are certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and rehabilitation aides. The learning resource was simple handouts and brief case examples as well as discussion of real-life fall-risk situations. To determine the knowledge gained, the staff members were required to take a pre-survey to determine their level of knowledge prior to the session and a post-survey, after the session. Data were compared on descriptive statistics and a paired t test to assess the difference in pre and post interventions scores. The average rate of improvement in the staff knowledge scores was at 80 percent following the educational intervention with a statistically significant difference, p < .05. In a less formal interview, the staff was found more consistent in terms of adopting the new strategies including the effective risk assessment and less risky methods of transfer as well as the enhanced reporting of the environmental hazards. The project provides a sustainable model to promote residents’ safety and encourage positive social change in long-term care facilities.
Recommended Citation
Njong, Gregory, "Implementing Evidence-Based Strategies for Falls Prevention" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18740.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18740
