Psychotropics and Fall Reduction Through Nursing Education

Falls in long-term care centers (LTC) remain a significant problem due to their association with increased mortality, healthcare costs, and decreased patient outcomes. A major contributing factor to falls is the use of psychotropic medications commonly prescribed in LTC facilities despite evidence against their use. This paper discusses a quasi-experimental study aimed at reducing falls through nursing education on how psychotropics contribute to falls. The study also highlights the regulatory requirements for LTC facilities to monitor and reduce fall occurrences and the efforts made by a State Veterans Home to address the number of falls. The results demonstrate a reduction in falls post-intervention. The nursing staff report a positive experience with the interactive education. This project highlights the value of nursing continuing education to improve patient outcomes. The educational material can be developed and updated to be used in many long-term care settings and in hospitals to reduce fall rates.