Minimizing the knowledge-to-action gap; identification of interventions to change nurses' behavior regarding fall...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Nursing
• Healthcare Education
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Effective continuing education is crucial in geriatric care due to high complication risks in older patients.
• Nurses play a vital role in preventing falls among hospitalized older adults.
• Interventions to modify nurse behavior for fall prevention are not well-understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify intervention options for changing hospital nurses' behavior regarding fall prevention in older patients.
• To explore the perspectives of nurses, geriatric experts, managers, and educators on fall prevention interventions.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-method design utilizing the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW).
• Data collection through focus groups with nurses (n=26) and Delphi rounds with geriatric experts (n=11), managers (n=13), and educators (n=13).
• Study conducted in ten tertiary teaching hospitals in the Netherlands.

Main Results:

• Geriatric experts suggested interventions focusing on 'after-care,' 'fall risk estimation,' and 'providing information.'
• Nurses prioritized 'providing information,' 'fall prevention,' and 'multifactorial fall risk assessment.'
• Nurses reported limitations in capability, opportunity, and motivation; educational experts proposed 'incentivisation,' 'modelling,' and 'enablement'; managers suggested 'communication/marketing,' 'regulation,' and 'environmental/social planning.'

Conclusions:

• A significant discrepancy exists in the opinions of nurses, geriatric experts, managers, and educators regarding fall prevention interventions.
• Enhanced insight into the roles and collaboration of managers, educators, and nurses is essential.
• Development of targeted education programs is needed to strengthen workplace changes and improve nursing practice in fall prevention.