Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Joanne Minnick

Abstract

One of the main problems affecting geriatric patients over the age of 65 is the heightened risks of severe complications and mortality from adverse drug events (ADEs). Beers Criteria is a suitable framework for identifying potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) for such at-risk population. The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence-based educational intervention for use by health practitioners to increase their knowledge and confidence regarding the 2012 American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria for PIMs. Lewin’s change theory provided the conceptual framework for the project. The method to evaluate the scores used involved a descriptive analysis of scores of the participants at the pretest and posttest interval of the educational staff module. The participants included a 10-member interdisciplinary team of experts who interacted with geriatric patients. The study period was 2 days, and the education was administered to two five-member groups per day. The study included a pre and post-test to measure change in practitioners’ knowledge of PIMs in prescribing different alternatives, the level of confidence in identifying PIMs, and provider and patient engagement. The initial overall score of the pretest was 90.38% and after the educational intervention the score was 100%. An increase in the scores from the pretest and post-test showed a 9.62% increase in knowledge to full compliance with the content. This supported an increase in knowledge at the conclusion of the educational intervention. Social change implications include improving the staff’s knowledge regarding potential poor health outcomes from PIMS and empowerment of nursing staff to identify potential PIMs and intervene on their patient’s behalf to prevent ADEs and improve health outcomes.

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