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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Implementation fidelity of a nurse-led falls prevention program in acute hospitals during the 6-PACK trial

Authors: Renata T. Morello, Anna L. Barker, Darshini R. Ayton, Fiona Landgren, Jeannette Kamar, Keith D. Hill, Caroline A. Brand, Catherine Sherrington, Rory Wolfe, Sheral Rifat, Johannes Stoelwinder

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

When tested in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 31,411 patients, the nurse-led 6-PACK falls prevention program did not reduce falls. Poor implementation fidelity (i.e., program not implemented as intended) may explain this result. Despite repeated calls for the examination of implementation fidelity as an essential component of evaluating interventions designed to improve the delivery of care, it has been neglected in prior falls prevention studies. This study examined implementation fidelity of the 6-PACK program during a large multi-site RCT.

Methods

Based on the 6-PACK implementation framework and intervention description, implementation fidelity was examined by quantifying adherence to program components and organizational support. Adherence indicators were: 1) falls-risk tool completion; and for patients classified as high-risk, provision of 2) a ‘Falls alert’ sign; and 3) at least one additional 6-PACK intervention. Organizational support indicators were: 1) provision of resources (executive sponsorship, site clinical leaders and equipment); 2) implementation activities (modification of patient care plans; training; implementation tailoring; audits, reminders and feedback; and provision of data); and 3) program acceptability. Data were collected from daily bedside observation, medical records, resource utilization diaries and nurse surveys.

Results

All seven intervention components were delivered on the 12 intervention wards. Program adherence data were collected from 103,398 observations and medical record audits. The falls-risk tool was completed each day for 75% of patients. Of the 38% of patients classified as high-risk, 79% had a ‘Falls alert’ sign and 63% were provided with at least one additional 6-PACK intervention, as recommended. All hospitals provided the recommended resources and undertook the nine outlined program implementation activities. Most of the nurses surveyed considered program components important for falls prevention.

Conclusions

While implementation fidelity was variable across wards, overall it was found to be acceptable during the RCT. Implementation failure is unlikely to be a key factor for the observed lack of program effectiveness in the 6-PACK trial.

Trial registration

The 6-PACK cluster RCT is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12611000332​921 (29 March 2011).
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Implementation fidelity of a nurse-led falls prevention program in acute hospitals during the 6-PACK trial
Authors
Renata T. Morello
Anna L. Barker
Darshini R. Ayton
Fiona Landgren
Jeannette Kamar
Keith D. Hill
Caroline A. Brand
Catherine Sherrington
Rory Wolfe
Sheral Rifat
Johannes Stoelwinder
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2315-z

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