Sponsor
Jamie Hunsicker, DNP
Ohio Northern University
Health & Behavioral Sciences, Nursing
j-hunsicker@onu.edu
Advisor(s)
Jamie Hunsicker, DNP
Ohio Northern University
Health & Behavioral Sciences, Nursing
j-hunsicker@onu.edu
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
23-4-2021 9:00 AM
Abstract
Problem: Falls are a leading cause of patient injury in the hospital setting. Many studies attribute the lack of knowledge of fall interventions, including bed alarms, to this problem.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to reeducate nurses and patient care technicians (PCT) on a medical-surgical unit, on proper bed alarm usage, thus decreasing patient falls.
Methods: This is a qualitative study that includes a pre-survey, educational intervention, and post-survey. The pre-survey covers demographics, and asks questions regarding understanding of bed alarm usage. The intervention used was a pamphlet explaining proper bed alarm usage, and a red bed magnet on door frames of rooms using a bed alarm. The post-survey included slightly altered questions from the pre-survey, to evaluate intervention effectiveness. Surveys and pamphlets were handed out at morning huddle. Surveys were returned to a folder at the central nurse’s station.
Pertinent Findings: Expected outcomes of this study will show an increase of nurse and PCT knowledge on bed alarms, as well as a decrease in patient fall incidences.
Conclusion: Nurses and PCT’s will have a better understanding of bed alarms, and patient falls will decrease. Education should be repeated annually to accommodate new employees, and traveling staff.
Recommended Citation
Risko, Victoria, "Bed Alarms: Increasing Confidence and Decreasing Injury" (2021). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 51.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2021/posters/51
Restricted
Available to ONU community via local IP address and ONU login.
Bed Alarms: Increasing Confidence and Decreasing Injury
Problem: Falls are a leading cause of patient injury in the hospital setting. Many studies attribute the lack of knowledge of fall interventions, including bed alarms, to this problem.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to reeducate nurses and patient care technicians (PCT) on a medical-surgical unit, on proper bed alarm usage, thus decreasing patient falls.
Methods: This is a qualitative study that includes a pre-survey, educational intervention, and post-survey. The pre-survey covers demographics, and asks questions regarding understanding of bed alarm usage. The intervention used was a pamphlet explaining proper bed alarm usage, and a red bed magnet on door frames of rooms using a bed alarm. The post-survey included slightly altered questions from the pre-survey, to evaluate intervention effectiveness. Surveys and pamphlets were handed out at morning huddle. Surveys were returned to a folder at the central nurse’s station.
Pertinent Findings: Expected outcomes of this study will show an increase of nurse and PCT knowledge on bed alarms, as well as a decrease in patient fall incidences.
Conclusion: Nurses and PCT’s will have a better understanding of bed alarms, and patient falls will decrease. Education should be repeated annually to accommodate new employees, and traveling staff.