Date of Award

Spring 5-12-2023

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Dr. Cheryl Giefer

Second Advisor

Dr. Jeffery Waddell

Third Advisor

James Oliver

Abstract

Throughout the evolving healthcare system, many issues in the hospital setting pose significant risk to patient safety and outcomes. Falls occur at detrimental rates that inevitably impact both the patient and the nurse. Of the several reasons one would choose to join the profession, nurses often seek the satisfaction of knowing the care they have provided impacted a patient, physically and spiritually. The healthcare system has allotted for variables in patient safety to promote safe outcomes and the reduction of fall risk, such as evidence-based practices and tools like cameras and assessments. However, the lack of nursing involvement in these processes often leaves them a step behind the pattern they wish to follow. Collecting baseline data regarding nursing staff knowledge of policies and procedures allows both the researcher and nursing leadership team to drive change in many areas of practice beyond fall prevention and risk reduction alone. The purpose of the study is to highlight current nursing staff understanding regarding hospital fall prevention policies, implement an increased frequency of current assessments, and review whether these changes made an impact on staff’s beliefs about their involvement in practice. Recreating this in other areas of patient safety concerns may potentially impact nursing practice at the organizational level and lead to better patient outcomes.

Included in

Nursing Commons

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