The Impact of Engagement Strategies on the Reduction of Patient Falls

The Impact of Engagement Strategies on the Reduction of Patient Falls by Rosemary Butler Martin MS, Valdosta State University, 2009 BS, Florida State University, 1996 Project Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University November 2017 Abstract Despite the availability of many fall prevention measures, many patients fall in U.S. hospitals each year. Experts view patient fall rates as the measure that can be most affected by a nurse-led, evidence-based intervention. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate the impact of patient engagement strategies on patient compliance to fall prevention education and the reduction of falls. The quality improvement framework used for this project was the Iowa Model. Interventions for this project included patient engagement strategies including the teachback (TB) method and video-based fall prevention education paired with the project site’s existing fall prevention program. A prospective quantitative design was used to answer the practice-focused question of whether the implementation of a falls protocol incorporating patient engagement strategies improves patient compliance with the fall prevention plan of care and reduces patient falls. A total of 58 patients were included in this project, conducted from July to October 2017. The results showed a 75% reduction in the fall rate compared to the same three month period in 2016. This finding suggests that reinforcement of oral and written instruction through video education follow-up and the use of the TB method to assess patient understanding are effective measures to reduce patient falls and increase patient compliance to the fall prevention plan of care. These patient engagement strategies can be replicated by nurses in similar acute care settings. Adoption of such evidence-based changes in nursing practice may improve patient safety and decrease harm in hospital settings as implications for positive social change.Despite the availability of many fall prevention measures, many patients fall in U.S. hospitals each year. Experts view patient fall rates as the measure that can be most affected by a nurse-led, evidence-based intervention. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate the impact of patient engagement strategies on patient compliance to fall prevention education and the reduction of falls. The quality improvement framework used for this project was the Iowa Model. Interventions for this project included patient engagement strategies including the teachback (TB) method and video-based fall prevention education paired with the project site’s existing fall prevention program. A prospective quantitative design was used to answer the practice-focused question of whether the implementation of a falls protocol incorporating patient engagement strategies improves patient compliance with the fall prevention plan of care and reduces patient falls. A total of 58 patients were included in this project, conducted from July to October 2017. The results showed a 75% reduction in the fall rate compared to the same three month period in 2016. This finding suggests that reinforcement of oral and written instruction through video education follow-up and the use of the TB method to assess patient understanding are effective measures to reduce patient falls and increase patient compliance to the fall prevention plan of care. These patient engagement strategies can be replicated by nurses in similar acute care settings. Adoption of such evidence-based changes in nursing practice may improve patient safety and decrease harm in hospital settings as implications for positive social change. The Impact of Engagement Strategies on the Reduction of Patient Falls by Rosemary Butler Martin MS, Valdosta State University, 2009 BS, Florida State University, 1996 Project Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University November 2017 Dedication I dedicate this work to the memory of my loving mother, Rosa Cobb Butler, who always inspired me with her strength and courage. Throughout this project, I have been reminded of her words of encouragement, which have motivated me to face this challenge with confidence “one day at a time. ” Acknowledgments I wish to thank my wonderful husband, Larry Martin, for his never-ending support and encouragement. A huge “thank you” to my children and grandchildren for being patient and for always believing that I would complete this work. Special thanks to Dr. Catherine Garner, my committee chair, and Dr. Courtney Hines, my committee member, for their guidance throughout this project. Dr. Garner, thanks for always being there to help me to stay focused. Finally, I would like to thank the hospital staff and administration at my project site for their valuable support throughout this project.