Quality Improvement Presentation Poster Learners Name
Quality Improvement Presentation Posterlearners Namecapella Univers
Develop a PICOT question for a chosen clinical problem. Provide background information on the chosen clinical problem. Outline an action plan to implement the evidence-based practice project that includes the recommendations for practice change, a timeline, and tools or resources needed. Identify the stakeholders and potential barriers to project implementation. Propose outcome criteria for evaluating the evidence-based practice project and how the outcomes will be measured. Specify how the outcome measures align to the Quadruple Aim. Evaluate the value and relevance of the evidence that supports the need for a practice change. Provide a summary of findings from the evidence, as well as the search strategy and databases used. Convey purpose of the poster presentation in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly communication standards.
Paper For Above instruction
The increasing incidence of falls in the medical-surgical (Med-Surg) units remains a significant patient safety concern that necessitates prompt and effective interventions. Falls can lead to severe injuries, increased healthcare costs, prolonged hospital stays, and diminished patient satisfaction, thereby undermining the overarching goals of patient-centered care and quality healthcare delivery (Oliver et al., 2010). This paper proposes a comprehensive evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation plan aimed at reducing falls in the Med-Surg setting by optimizing the use of fall risk identifiers and strategies.
Background of the Clinical Problem
The clinical problem identified is the rising rate of patient falls within Med-Surg units. Currently, the facility employs fall risk patient bands coupled with a door sign system to alert staff about potentially at-risk patients. Despite these measures, fall rates have persisted at unacceptably high levels, indicating inefficacy or inconsistency in the current approach. Factors contributing to the problem include patient characteristics (such as age and comorbidities), staff workload, and potential gaps in staff training regarding fall prevention strategies (Sherrington et al., 2019). Addressing this issue with a targeted evidence-based strategy could significantly enhance patient safety outcomes.
PICOT Question
In adult patients admitted to the Med-Surg units (P), does implementing a standardized fall prevention protocol that includes enhanced staff training, patient education, and the use of advanced fall risk assessment tools (I), compared to the current practice of use of fall risk bands and door signs (C), reduce the incidence of patient falls within six months (T)?
Action Plan and Implementation Strategy
The proposed practice change involves integrating a comprehensive fall prevention protocol that encompasses staff education, patient engagement, and utilization of validated risk assessment tools like the Morse Fall Scale (Oliver et al., 2010). Implementation will follow these steps:
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engage nursing staff, physical therapists, physicians, and patient care technicians through meetings to discuss evidence and gather input.
- Staff Training: Conduct mandatory training sessions emphasizing the importance of individualized fall risk assessments and adherence to protocols.
- Patient Education: Develop and distribute educational materials informing patients and families about fall risks and preventative measures.
- Protocol Deployment: Introduce the standardized protocol across all Med-Surg units within a two-week period.
- Monitoring and Feedback: Establish a system for ongoing data collection on fall incidents, along with regular feedback sessions with staff.
The timeline spans three months, with initial planning and stakeholder engagement in month one, training and protocol implementation in month two, and monitoring and adjustments in month three. Tools such as fall risk assessment scales, staff training modules, and patient education materials will be utilized.
Stakeholders and Potential Barriers
Key stakeholders include nursing staff, physicians, physical therapists, patient care technicians, hospital administrators, and patients. Stakeholders are vital for successful implementation, as their buy-in is essential for adherence and sustainability. Potential barriers encompass resistance to change, lack of knowledge, time constraints, and variability in staff skill levels (Dykes et al., 2017). Strategies to overcome these barriers include ongoing education, leadership support, and integrating protocols into standard workflows to minimize disruption.
Outcome Measures and Evaluation Criteria
The primary outcome measure is the reduction in fall incidents within the six-month period post-implementation. Secondary measures include patient satisfaction scores related to safety, staff compliance rates with the new protocol, and incident reports of fall-related injuries. These outcomes align with the Quadruple Aim by improving patient safety (population health), optimizing staff work life by reducing incident-related stress and workload, controlling healthcare costs through fall prevention, and enhancing the patient experience (Bodenheimer & Sinsky, 2014). Data collection will involve pre-and post-intervention fall rates extracted from incident reports and patient surveys.
Evidence Supporting Practice Change
The rationale for this practice change is supported by extensive literature demonstrating the effectiveness of multimodal fall prevention strategies. A systematic review by Oliver et al. (2010) highlights that structured programs including staff education, patient involvement, and proper risk assessments significantly decrease falls. Furthermore, studies indicate that staff training improves the consistency and accuracy of risk assessments, leading to tailored interventions that effectively mitigate fall risks (Sherrington et al., 2019). The selection of validated tools such as the Morse Fall Scale ensures reliable identification of at-risk patients, making the intervention evidence-based and tailored to the patient population.
Search Strategy and Resource Relevance
A comprehensive search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. Keywords included "fall prevention," "Med-Surg," "patient safety," "evidence-based practice," and "risk assessment." Relevant articles were selected based on publication date (preferably within the last decade), peer-review status, and relevance to adult inpatient settings. The evidence gathered is of high quality, including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and validated protocols, supporting the intervention's validity and effectiveness (Sherrington et al., 2019). These resources are highly relevant as they directly inform strategies suitable for the hospital setting.
Conclusion
Implementing a structured, evidence-based fall prevention protocol on Med-Surg units is a feasible and effective strategy to reduce fall incidents, improve patient safety, and enhance overall quality of care. The plan's success relies on engaging stakeholders, providing education, and utilizing validated tools, all within a structured timeline. The expected outcomes—reduced falls, increased patient satisfaction, and better staff morale—align with the Quadruple Aim, reinforcing the importance of adopting evidence-based practices in clinical settings.
References
- Bodenheimer, T., & Sinsky, C. (2014). From Triple to Quadruple Aim: Care of the Patient Requires Care of the Provider. Annals of Family Medicine, 12(6), 573–576.
- Dykes, P. C., et al. (2017). Falls Prevention in Hospitals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Patient Safety, 13(4), 328–336.
- Oliver, D., et al. (2010). Outcome measures for fall prevention studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 5(12), e11944.
- Sherrington, C., et al. (2019). Effective Fall Prevention Strategies in Hospital: A Systematic Review. BMC Geriatrics, 19, 192.