2 key factors for maintaining an evidence-based falls prevention program

Individual professional perceptions and practices as well as organizational characteristics are linked to the sustainability of evidence-based falls prevention practices, according to a study published in the American Journal of Nursing.

Researchers conducted a qualitative study at a large academic medical center. They conducted four homogenous semistructured focus groups and three individual interviews involving 20 clinicians in total between October 2013 and March 2014.

The study shows two primary themes emerged regarding the sustainability of an evidence-based fall prevention program:

• Communication patterns within the interprofessional healthcare team
• Influences of hospital organizational practices and elements

Additionally, while all team members saw patient falls as a significant quality and safety issue, most believed that direct care nurses are primarily responsible for leading fall prevention efforts.

"The data support the importance of effective interprofessional team communication and organizational practices in sustaining an evidence-based fall prevention program across inpatient units," study authors concluded.

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