Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Joanne M. Minnick

Abstract

Falls are a major public health concern and contribute significantly to mortality and morbidity in the older adult population. Each year, approximately 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries and at least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures. The purpose of this project was to improve the participants' knowledge and highlight interventions to reduce the incidence of falls and injuries as a result of falls. The project was developed using the Stop Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (STEADI) toolkit, the Iowa model of evidence-based practice to promote quality of care, and the Lewin's change theory. The practice-focused question related to whether fall prevention would improve following the implementation of a staff education project using the STEADI toolkit. Twenty-six nurses were assessed to determine their knowledge deficits. Pretest and posttest data were analyzed, and as a result of the staff education initiative, the nurses' knowledge increased by 99.25%. Prior to the session, the facility had not participated in a fall-prevention initiative. This project offered a practical solution to the educational gaps identified at the practice setting. Adopting the STEADI toolkit at the practice setting is expected to improve patient safety, reduce falls with injuries and prevent fall-related deaths.

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