Fall Prevention Strategies in Acute and Long-Term Care

Learn evidence-based fall prevention strategies to reduce risks and improve safety in acute and long-term care.

Falls are among the most common and costly adverse events in healthcare, affecting patients in both acute and long-term care settings. They result in injuries, fear, extended hospitalizations, financial penalties, and emotional distress for patients, families, and nurses. Yet research consistently shows that most falls are preventable with the right strategies in place. This course equips nurses, educators, and administrators with practical, evidence-based tools to reduce fall risk and promote a culture of safety.

Learners will explore the scope of the problem, examine key patient and environmental risk factors, and gain actionable strategies ranging from universal interventions to individualized prevention plans. Case studies and real-world examples illustrate how frontline nursing practice intersects with organizational quality improvement goals. By the end of this course, participants will not only understand the science behind fall prevention but will also feel empowered to implement changes that improve patient safety, protect healthcare organizations from financial risk, and reinforce the essential role of nurses as safety leaders.

Author:  NIHE Faculty

CE Hours:  1

Course Created on:  08/27/25   Course Expires on:  08/26/27

Target Audience:  

• Registered Nurses (RN)
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN)
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN)

Completion Requirements:

1. Enrollment in the course by the learner
2. Read and learn all course materials
3. Complete the course evaluation
4. Attest and testify learning of the course materials

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest and Relevant Financial Relationships

Neither National Institute for Healthcare Education nor any authors, planners, content experts, or contributors have any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Accreditation Statement:  

National Institute for Healthcare Education, the parent company of TopNurseCE.com, is a CA Board of Registered Nursing CE Provider #13886. It will take the average learner 1 hour to complete.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this course is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider in considering diagnosis and treatment options for a particular patient’s medical condition. Copyright © 2025: All rights reserved. No part of the materials may be reproduced without the express written consent of TopNurseCE.com Professional Educational Institution. The content of this course is intended to provide general information on the topics covered. This information has been prepared by experts with practical experience in the subject matter. This should not be considered medical, legal or professional advice. TopNurseCE.com recommends that individuals contact a licensed medical, legal or professional provider in their respective state. While TopNurseCE.com uses reasonable efforts to ensure that all content provided in this course is accurate and current at the time of publication, TopNurseCE.com makes no representations as to its applicability to your particular situation. No guarantees are given and reliance on them does not constitute liability. Testimonials are collected from feedback surveys submitted by customers. The model presented is for representation purposes and is not intended for actual customers.

 

 

Course Outline

Section 1: The Scope of the Problem

• Historical perspective on fall prevention in nursing.
• Data on falls in acute vs. long-term care.
• The “real cost” of a fall (patient suffering, nurse morale, institutional penalties).
• Motivational framing: “Every nurse has the power to prevent the next fall.”
• Case story: a preventable hospital fall with discussion of root causes.

Section 2: Understanding Risk Factors

• Detailed breakdown of intrinsic, extrinsic, and situational risks.
• Polypharmacy, delirium, and cognitive impairment explained with nursing implications.
• Nursing observations as early detection of subtle risk cues.
• Case vignettes: stroke patient, frail long-term care resident, post-op patient.

Section 3: Evidence-Based Interventions

• Universal precautions vs. individualized plans.
• Rounding, alarms, toileting schedules, assistive devices.
• Nursing leadership in creating a “safety culture.”
• Success stories from QI programs with data showing fall reduction.
• Motivational examples of nurses “catching the fall before it happens.”

Section 4: Organizational and QI Approaches

• National Patient Safety Goals and CMS penalties explained.
• Root cause analysis after a fall — walking through a real example.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: PT, OT, pharmacy, nursing aides, physicians.
• How frontline nurses influence policy and protect their license by documentation.

Section 5: Patient and Family Education

• Teaching strategies for older adults with vision/hearing impairments.
• Motivational interviewing with patients who resist using call lights.
• Family as allies in fall prevention.
• Case example of education success.

Section 6: The Nurse’s Role as a Change Agent

• How bedside nurses drive culture change.
• The emotional burden of patient falls and how prevention restores confidence.
• Leadership perspective: how to inspire your team.
• Encouragement: “Your vigilance saves lives.”

Conclusion

• Summary of actionable strategies.
• Empowering statement: “Every fall prevented is a life preserved, a family spared, and a nurse strengthened.”
• Call to action.

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the scope and impact of falls in acute and long-term care.
2. Identify patient- and environment-related risk factors for falls.
3. Apply evidence-based strategies to reduce fall risk and improve safety.
4. Incorporate fall prevention into quality improvement (QI) initiatives.
5. Demonstrate patient and family education methods to promote safety.