Date of Award

12-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Lila de Tantillo

Committee Chair School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Member 2

Dr. Lakenya Forthner

Committee Member 2 School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Abstract

Falls among older adults are a significant public health issue and the leading cause of injury-related illness and death in people aged 65 and older. While evidence-based guidelines exist and awareness of fall risks has increased, many primary care settings do not use standardized fall risk screening protocols. This gap results in missed opportunities for early identification and prevention. To address this need, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2019) created the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) Toolkit, which offers healthcare providers a structured approach to assess, manage, and reduce fall risk.

This doctoral project aims to implement the STEADI Toolkit in a primary care clinic serving community-dwelling older adults. The objectives are to increase the number of fall risk screenings, improve provider adherence to evidence-based fall prevention practices, and enhance the quality of care for older adults at risk of falls. The doctoral project will use the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement model to measure the impact of the toolkit on workflow, provider engagement, and patient safety outcomes during a six-week intervention period.

Through staff education and structured implementation, this doctoral project seeks to make fall prevention a routine part of geriatric care. The goal is to reduce falls, prevent related injuries, and support healthier aging by equipping providers with practical tools and strategies to address fall risk in primary care.

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