Abstract

A Magnet-recognized academic hospital system experienced an increase in patient falls and patient falls with injury after transitioning to a new electronic health record. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a system-wide quality improvement practice change. The practice-focused question addressed a Magnet model implementation of a standardized, system-wide, evidence-based Hester Davis Scale (HDS) fall risk assessment and intervention tool and the impact on the nursing-sensitive indicators of patient fall rates and fall rates with injury. Successful implementation and sustained, correct use of the HDS fall risk assessment and targeted fall-preventionintervention tools added to the evidence of multifactorial fall-intervention-prevention strategies designed to reduce patient falls and patient injury associated with falls. Two models were used to inform the project: the American Nurses Credentialing Center next generation Magnet model and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement framework for spread. The primary source of evidence was the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators. A run chart approach to process improvement was determined to be the best method to assess the effectiveness of the HDS Falls Prevention Program for 28 months post implementation. The run chart for patient fall rates and fall with injury rates demonstrated a reduction in falls and sustained improvement over 28 months. The decreases in falls and fall with injury rates of this project have implications for positive social change. Magnet recognition supports the implementation of the evidence-based HDS Fall Reduction Program, thereby improving the quality of life for patients and families and reducing the burden and cost of health care associated with falls.

Description

This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 22615938; ProQuest document ID: 2283450618. The author still retains copyright.

Authors

Debra A. Bauer

Author Details

Debra A. Bauer, DNP, MBA, RN

Sigma Membership

Lambda Sigma

Type

Dissertation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quality Improvement

Research Approach

Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice

Keywords:

Patient Quality of Life, Fall Rates, Multi-factorial Fall Prevention Interventions, Nursing Sensitive Indicators

Advisors

Long, Janice

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Walden University

Degree Year

2019

Rights Holder

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All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Date of Issue

2023-09-26

Full Text of Presentation

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