Frequent Use of a Spaced-retrieval Mobile App Improves Self-efficacy and Adherence to Safety Protocols in Nursing Staff: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES: Patient falls are an important public health issue, preventable by nurses through risk assessment and education. Here, we conduct a pilot study aimed at improving fall prevention knowledge and attitudes, and decreasing patient falls through use of a spaced-retrieval mobile app. METHODS: We collected baseline patient fall rates and Fall TIPS (Tailoring Interventions for Patient Safety) poster completion rates in 64 patient rooms and baseline self-report ratings of self-efficacy and attitudes (including self-efficacy for preventing patient falls, perceived safety climate and performance, perceived support, and job dedication) from nursing staff participants. Fifteen participants then used a spaced-retrieval app for 6 weeks (2-3 min/workday) to retrain fall prevention knowledge. After this, we again collected Fall TIPS poster completion rates, self-reported ratings, and patient fall rates. RESULTS: Knowledge of fall prevention strategies, self-efficacy, perceived safety performance, perceived support, and Fall TIPS poster completion rates improved significantly from pre-to-post app use. We found no differences in the other attitudinal measures or patient falls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that engaging in spaced review of fall prevention protocols may yield short-term improvements in fall prevention knowledge, self-efficacy, and Fall TIPS poster completion rates while requiring minimal time.