Date of Conferral

4-17-2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Jonas Nguh

Abstract

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), including agitation and aggression, present significant challenges in acute care settings and contribute to increased staff injury risk and inconsistent patient care. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to evaluate the impact of a structured dementia de-escalation education program on staff knowledge, confidence, and perceived ability to manage dementia-related behaviors. The guiding PICOT question asked: In acute care staff, how does participation in a structured de-escalation training program that incorporates environmental modifications and organizational support, compared with no formal de-escalation training, affect staff knowledge, confidence, and perceived impact in managing dementia-related aggressive behaviors over a 1-month period? The intervention included evidence-based education on early recognition of agitation, therapeutic communication, environmental strategies, and nonpharmacologic de-escalation techniques, supported by unit rounding and coaching. A pre- and post-intervention Likert-scale survey was administered to interdisciplinary staff. Results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement, with mean scores increasing from 43.33 pre-intervention to 85.50 post-intervention, reflecting a 42.17-point increase (97.3%). A paired, two-tailed t-test indicated a significant difference, t (5) = 9.22, p < .001. These findings support the effectiveness of structured dementia de-escalation education in improving staff competency. Implications for nursing practice include enhanced patient safety, reduced staff injury risk, and improved quality of care, highlighting the importance of integrating education, environmental support, and organizational reinforcement to sustain practice change.

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