Date of Award
Fall 12-3-2021
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Mary Brann, RN, DNP
Second Advisor
Donald Hunt, PhD, RN
Abstract
Practice Problem: Fall rates are increasing in the behavioral health units of the East Texas hospital. Due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the units are short-staffed, which further supports the urgent need for a targeted intervention to reduce fall risk.
PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was: “In adult behavioral health patients (P), what is the effect of the Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool (I), compared with previous use of the Morse Fall Risk tool (C), on the fall rate (O), in 8 weeks (T)?”
Evidence: Falls are the most reported incidents in acute care hospitals and falls of behavioral health patients are more challenging to mitigate than those of other patients. Evidence suggested that the Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool aided in identifying and mitigating fall risks by tailoring care plans to individual patients.
Intervention: The Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool was completed on every patient over the age of 18 years, which was admitted, discharged, falling, or had a change in condition, while on the psychiatric unit. The risk assessment was used to determine the risks and other factors that contribute to the patient falling. Once the contributors were identified, the data was used to put interventions into place and revise each individualized care plan to decrease falls.
Outcome: The intended outcome was to identify patients that were at substantial risk for falls using the EPFRAT tool, mitigate some of their risks, and therefore decrease falls.
Conclusion: Continued emphasis on the fall risks of behavioral health patients will be paramount in the management and success of the continued improvement in patient outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Shuptrine, A. (2021). Change Project Using a Fall Prevention Action Program to Decrease Falls on a Behavioral Health Unit. [Doctoral project, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences]. SOAR @ USA: Student Scholarly Projects Collection. https://doi.org/10.46409/sr.JFXX6423
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Included in
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Commons, Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Quality Improvement Commons
Comments
Scholarly project submitted to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice.