Digital Commons Network^™

Perceptions Of The Flu Vaccine In The Setting Of Covid-19, Lauren A. Vogel-Hanley

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Vaccination is a key component to public and personal preventative health. The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the need for further research into how best to encourage vaccination, especially in harder to reach or vulnerable populations.

Purpose: This project sought to evaluate beliefs and perceptions of the flu vaccine in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the views of the project site’s population in order to develop more targeted educational programs for increasing flu vaccination. The project focused on the ambulatory population of the emergency department.

Methods: The survey tool administered was based on the National Flu …

Standardizing Behavioral Health Triage: Using The Heads-Ed Tool, Sarah K. Peifer

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: In the past two years emergency departments across the country have experienced an increase in pediatric patients requiring behavioral health care. It is essential to provide efficient, early intervention to these vulnerable patients. The use of a standardized tool can improve management of pediatric patients and allow access to resources in a timely manner.

Purpose: To evaluate the implementation of the HEADS-ED in a community hospital ED, to provide rapid behavioral health assessment.

Methods: Education for staff was provided through various platforms and involved regular support for staff throughout the intervention. It was hypothesized that implementation of …

Improving Lgbtq Provider Competency In The Emergency Department: Guided By Leininger’S Theory Of Transcultural Nursing, Kandyce Casey

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) population have poorer health outcomes and health disparities due to stigma and discrimination when compared to the general population. The LGBTQ population represents many ethnicities, races, religions, social classes which creates an additional barrier to care. The LGBTQ person has higher rates of being uninsured and therefore healthcare is often delayed, or medical attention is sought in the emergency department (ED) for nonurgent issues.

Purpose: To increase competency of ED providers when caring for the LGBTQ population in the ED by implementing an evidence-based educational program.

Methods: The quality improvement …

Human Trafficking Recognition And Response Training For Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners In New Hampshire Emergency Departments, Carolyn L. Noyes

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Human trafficking is a pervasive yet under-recognized public health epidemic. Traffickers use various forms of manipulation to control their victims for the benefit of the trafficker with little regard for the victims’ well-being. This leads to victims of human trafficking suffering short- and long-term health problems. Trafficking victims may subsequently access healthcare during their time in captivity as a result of a direct harm caused to them due to their victimization from neglect, injury or disease. Unfortunately, victims often do not see themselves as victims or are too afraid to let their healthcare provider know that they need help. Warning …

A Quality Improvement (Qi) Project To Reduce Emergency Department (Ed) Readmissions Among Patients With Limited English Proficiency (Lep) Through Utilization Of Interpretive Services By Healthcare Providers, Christine Ndissi

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background and Review of Literature: Patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) are a vulnerable population with greater risk for poor health outcomes due to provider-to-patient communication barriers. Emergency Department (ED) health providers are routinely confronted with problems of ineffective communication thereby, leading to lack of patients’ knowledge of their diagnoses and medications, and subsequently lead to medication-related adverse events and ED readmissions. Purpose: The purpose of this DNP quality improvement (QI) project is to evaluate the standards of care and examine factors that contribute to underutilization of interpretive services for patients with LEP who seek care at the ED to …

Development And Evaluation Of An Emergency Department-Based Nurse Practitioner Care Delivery Model, Tiesha Johnson

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Acute mental health care needs are not always optimally managed in the Emergency Department (ED) with the traditional approach to care and management. The ED encounter for psychiatric patients is lengthy, costly, fragmented, inefficient and often ineffective, contributing to poor outcomes.. Purpose: To introduce the evidence- based advanced nursing practice model to ED professionals and staff for feedback and evaluation of an ED-based Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner care delivery model for the acute care of psychiatric patients. Implementation: The care delivery model was created based on evidence and presented to professionals and staff at one medical center ED. A focus …

Increased Emergency Department Boarding Times, Marija Djokovic

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Prolonged boarding times (increased wait times for admitted patients) in the emergency department result in an increase in morbidity and mortality in critically ill adult patients admitted to the ICU. Overcrowding in the emergency department (ED), medication errors, and a delay in transfer to the ICU are the leading reasons for an increase in morbidity and mortality. This project focuses on a comprehensive assessment of a Las Vegas emergency department. The assessment will determine if the issues cited in the literature of: 1) overcrowding, 2) medication errors, and 3) delay in transfer are a current problem in the Las Vegas …