Enhancing Fall Risk Reduction on an Ambulatory Oncology Hematology Clinic

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Date

2023-05

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The Ohio State University

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Abstract

Background: Falls affect one out of every two people who are diagnosed with advanced cancer which result in injury. Evidence recommends physical therapy (PT) as an important fall prevention intervention. Objectives: To increase the use of fall risk reduction interventions by increasing nurse self-efficacy (SE), increasing falls documentation, entering PT referrals, and reducing the monthly average of fallers. Methods: This evidenced-based practice project (EBP) included ambulatory care nurses at a large Midwest academic cancer center. A short falls learning module focused on falls screening documentation and PT referrals for high falls risk patients was provided live during the workday. The Self-Efficacy for Preventing Fall Nurse Scale (SEPFN) was administered before and following the falls learning module presentation. Descriptive statistics were calculated to evaluate documentation, number of PT referrals, and number of fallers pre- and post-intervention. Findings: The participants (N=11) included 6 pre-survey and 5 post-survey responses. SE level on the SEPFN increased following the module. Falls risk screening documentation increased post-intervention from 64.8% to 67.9%. PT referrals (N= 13) were entered out of 137 patients who screened as high falls risk. The monthly average of fallers decreased from 8.43% to 6.67%. A falls learning module and PT referrals enhance fall risk reduction.

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falls, fall prevention, fall screening, physical therapy referral, ambulatory oncology clinic

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