Date of Conferral

2-12-2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Sue Bell

Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a staff education initiative to address polypharmacy and increase medication adherence among older adults in a primary care setting. Polypharmacy is a prevalent and significant safety concern in older adults, increasing the risk for adverse drug events, medication nonadherence, hospitalizations, and decreased quality of life. The purpose of the project was to implement and evaluate a structured staff education focused on evidence-based strategies for medication review, deprescribing, and the integration of smartphone-based adherence tools. The practice-focused question guiding this project was as follows: Will an evidence-based staff education program focused on polypharmacy and medication adherence improve staff knowledge and documentation of medication management practices using smartphone technology? A pretest/posttest staff development educational design was used to answer the project question. Educational strategies included interactive training sessions, case-based learning, electronic health record (EHR) documentation support, and the introduction of smartphone adherence applications. Following the intervention, the average staff knowledge score improved from 3 correct answers out of 5 on the pretest to 5 out of 5 on the posttest. A chart audit demonstrated improvements in EHR documentation, with medication reconciliation increasing from 55% to 87%. Documentation of medication adherence counseling increased from 38% to 80%. All participants reported that the educational objectives were met, the content was useful, and they would use the information in their clinical practice. This project supported nursing leadership efforts to advance patient safety, health equity, and positive social change through education-driven quality improvement.

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