Implementing Fall Prevention Safety Agreement and Fall TIPS to Improve Patient Safety with Postoperative Cancer Patients

Authors

Marguerite NdokoFollow

Author Biographical Info

Marguerite Ndoko is a dedicated healthcare professional with extensive experience in nursing and healthcare leadership. As a registered nurse with a strong background in public health and oncology, Marguerite has demonstrated a commitment to patient safety, care excellence, and quality improvement. Her diverse roles in various healthcare settings have allowed her to develop critical skills in leadership, care coordination, and evidence-based practice.

Marguerite is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), with a focus on Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). She has successfully led a quality improvement project implementing evidence-based interventions to reduce fall incidents, showcasing her ability to drive change and improve patient outcomes.

Passionate about patient-centered care and continuous learning, Marguerite thrives in collaborative environments where her problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills can enhance clinical and organizational performance.

Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion

Spring 4-20-2024

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Madelene Ottosen

Abstract

PURPOSE

This quality improvement project aimed to implement targeted fall prevention interventions within an oncology surgical unit to reduce the rate of patient falls by 30%.

BACKGROUND

Hospital patient falls are a major safety concern, particularly in oncology surgical patients due to postoperative weakness and altered mobility. Consistent high fall rates in the unit prompted targeted interventions to address this risk.

METHODOLOGY

Two interventions were implemented over 14 weeks using PDSA cycles. Patient Fall Safety Agreements (PFSA) were initiated between patients and bedside nurses upon admission, while fall Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety (TIPS) were posted in patient rooms to serve as visual aids for nurses to check in each shift. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the PFSA completion rate, fall TIPS adherence rate, and pre-and postimplementation reported fall rates. Qualitative feedback provided insights into the interventions' effectiveness and associated challenges.

RESULTS

The rate of falls decreased by 65.8% from 1.31 per 1,000 patient bed days in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 to 0.45 in the first half of FY 2024. PFSA completion rates averaged 52.4%, while the fall TIPS adherence averaged 13.6%. Changes in leadership support may have impacted staff adherence to PFSA and fall TIPS, as both measures decreased progressively during the project.

IMPLICATIONS

Staff training and patients’ engagement in fall interventions were pivotal in improving fall rates. However, due to leadership restrictions, patient feedback surveys were discontinued after the first PDSA cycle. Continuous monitoring, leadership support, and integration of interventions into standard practice are essential for sustainability.

Keywords

fall prevention, oncology surgical unit, quality improvement, patient safety, fall prevention interventions, Patient Fall Safety Agreement (PFSA), Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety (Fall TIPS), patient engagement, evidence-based practice, fall rate reduction

Recommended Citation

Ndoko, Marguerite, "Implementing Fall Prevention Safety Agreement and Fall TIPS to Improve Patient Safety with Postoperative Cancer Patients" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract. 25.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dnp_abstract/25