Risk-Taking Behaviors of Adult Bedridden Patients in Neurosurgery: What Could/Should We Do?

Healthcare Professionals' Insights Regarding the Applicability of the STEADI Falls Prevention Program Among Neurology Patients: A Qualitative Study

Aim

Falls are common among hospitalized patients especially those with neurological health conditions. This highlights the need to implement evidence-based, comprehensive fall prevention programs. However, certain barriers hinder successful implementation of fall prevention programs in hospitals. The aim of this study was to explore the insights of healthcare professionals regarding the implementation of an interdisciplinary falls prevention program among patients with neurological health conditions.

Methods

A qualitative, descriptive design was used to conduct this study. Healthcare providers at two neurology units from two hospitals were invited to attend interdisciplinary workshops on fall prevention using the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) program. Reflective journals were used to collect the data. A total of 23 healthcare providers returned their completed journals and thematic analysis was performed to extract the main themes.

Findings

Thematic analysis revealed a total of four main themes: (1) The STEADI program provides an interdisciplinary approach to identifying fall risks, (2) The STEADI program improves patient safety and facilitates recovery, (3) The STEADI program fails to accommodate all neurology patients, and (4) Time and space constraints hinder success.

Conclusion

Responses to the reflective journals revealed that the participants were able to identify the advantages of using the STEADI program for both healthcare professionals and patients with neurological conditions. The comprehensive and evidence-based approach, coupled with its interdisciplinary nature, was highly appraised by the participants.

The Effect of the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries Program on Falls Prevention in Neurosurgical Patients

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite the negative consequences of falls among neurosurgery patients in acute care settings, there is a lack of high-quality evidence for successful fall prevention programs. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) program on falling prevention compared with routine falling protocol in neurosurgical patients in Jordan. METHODS: A prospective quasi-experimental design was used in this study. The sample comprised 70 neurosurgical patients from a major university-affiliated hospital in Jordan. The study sample was assigned into a control group (35 patients) and an intervention group (35 patients). A demographics questionnaire, and different fall risk screening tools and tests were used in this study as recommended by the STEADI program. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of variance results showed a significant effect ( P = .001) of the STEADI program on the linear combination of outcome measures. Independent samples t tests further confirmed the program's effectiveness, with statistically significant mean differences in most outcome measures between the intervention and control groups post intervention. After implementing the study intervention, participants in the intervention group had a statistically significant lower risk for falls. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate potential effectiveness in improving neurosurgery patients' outcomes and reducing the risk of falls. Implementing the study recommendations can enhance patient safety and promote evidence-based fall prevention interventions in neurosurgery patients.