Date of Completion
Summer 2026
Document Type
DNP Scholarly Project
Academic Department
School of Nursing
Degree Type
Doctoral
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
First Advisor
Dr. Melanie Brewer
Second Advisor
Dr. Lydia Forsythe
Abstract
Problem: Falls with injury rates had increased for over two years at the project hospital until nurse leaders implemented a new fall-prevention intervention. Patient falls are the most common preventable adverse event in acute care hospitals, with approximately 700,000 to 1 million occurring annually in the United States. Before implementing the Fall Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety (TIPS) toolkit, the hospital’s program lacked an evidence-based approach and a fall communication board to alert staff, patients, and families about the individual fall risk status, leaving a significant gap in patient-centered care.
Aim of the Project: The aim of the project was to conduct a program evaluation of the project site’s implementation of the Fall TIPS toolkit, assessing whether fall and fall with injury rates decreased following the intervention.
Review of the Evidence: Six studies supported the Fall TIPS Toolkit in decreasing falls and falls with injuries in hospital settings. Two studies demonstrated a positive return on investment for healthcare organizations, one found increased patient engagement in fall prevention, and one led to the development of the Fall TIPS Efficiency Scale.
Project Design: The program evaluation was conducted using the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Program Evaluation Framework.
Intervention: A program evaluation of the project hospital’s Fall TIPS toolkit implementation was performed, examining fall data and evaluating the toolkit’s impact on patient safety outcomes.
Significant Findings/Outcomes: Following implementation of the Fall TIPS toolkit, falls with injury rates decreased six months post-implementation. These findings suggest a meaningful and positive impact of the toolkit on patient safety outcomes and support its continued use. Implications for Nursing: The findings from the project have significant implications for nursing practice and may inform future program evaluations. Program evaluations are essential in determining whether intervention goals have been achieved, and identifying modifications needed for sustainability. The program evaluation serves as a vital final step in the quality improvement process, providing evidence that interventions are effective and representative of best practice. As nursing continues to grow as a scientific profession, conducting and disseminating program evaluations strengthens the evidence base for nurse-led patient safety initiatives.
Recommended Citation
Morrison, Shirley, "Fall Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety: A Program Evaluation" (2026). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Project. 54.
https://fuse.franklin.edu/dnp-project/54
Rights
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