A method to enhance nurses knowledge about falls reduction strategies

Abstract

<p>Poster presented on: Tuesday, November 19, 2013, Monday, November 18, 2013</p> <p><strong>Purpose:</strong> To increase knowledge about the hospital's fall policy in Medical-Surgical nurses via implementation of a falls educational intervention. Nursing knowledge plays an important role in preventing and managing falls in acute hospitals. Background: An educational needs assessment indicated a falls educational intervention was needed. Additional supporting information included audits indicating fall risk interventions were not being implemented consistently, improperly completed fall causation reports, and other documentation issues.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> The intervention consisted of an educational poster based on evidenced-based hospital policy and included: fall risk assessment; high risk alert requirements; interventions; contributing medications; patient/family education; procedure post-fall. A pre- and post-test was administered to assess knowledge. A survey (4 point Likert Scale) was administered to further assess the falls educational intervention (1=strongly disagree; 4=strongly agree; higher scores equaling more positive response).</p> <p><strong>Findings:</strong> Twenty-four nurses completed the pre-test and 72 completed the post-test. For question 3: List four items that alert other hospital personnel that patient is a fall risk; the mean pre-test score=54% and mean post-test score=100%. Question 4 evaluated proper fall risk scoring, and mean pre-test score=33% and mean post-test score=75%. Seventy-one out of 72 participants approached completed the survey. Three surveys were eliminated due to duplicate circling of answers for a total of 68 remaining. The mean survey score was 3.28. For survey item, 'The information I received from the Falls poster will help me assess my patients for fall risk more accurately' the mean score was 3.38.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Descriptive statistical findings indicate the poster may have an impact on pre and post-test scores. Thus, there is a need for further analysis. Implications: Further education on using the fall risk tool may be indicated. A t-test for unequal groups, correlations, additional descriptive statistics and statistical techniques will be applied to questions to determine their relevance.</p>