Digital Commons Network^™

Summarized Guidelines Aid Providers In Caring For Patients With Otitis Media With Effusion, Neil Nordstrom

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a disorder that can cause hearing loss in children, which can lead to speech and language delay. There are recommendations within the OME guideline and primary care providers are aware of these guidelines but do not follow them. For this project a suburban outpatient pediatric medical practice with 8 providers (4 MD’s and 4 NP’s) was studied. The 8 providers were educated and presented with an algorithm, designed by the author, organizing the OME recommendations in a flowchart. Over a 2-month period, providers referred to the algorithm and used the recommendations in practice. Then …

Heightening Mental Health Awareness On A Diverse, Urban Public University Campus Through A Media Outreach Campaign, Kathleen R. Golden Mcandrew

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Mental health problems among students on college campuses have increased in severity over the last decade. On-campus health providers have reported seeing students with more complex problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, and mixed diagnoses that require frequent and regular follow-up and treatment. Students who require mental health services assistance from on-campus services need to be informed about what resources and services are available and how to access them. Since most on-campus counseling services are set up as short-term treatment models, providing students with community-based resource options is also important.

The purpose of this capstone project was to examine …

The Use Of Probiotics To Prevent Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea: Current Primary Care Practice And Introduction Of An Evidence Based Practice Protocol, Elizabeth Mb Visone

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) is defined as the self limiting diarrhea that occurs during or following a course of antibiotics (Bartlett, 2002; Dendukuri, Costa, McGregor, & Brophy, 2005; Pimental & Choure, 2009; Sullivan & Nord, 2005; Vrabie & Aberra, 2009). Despite strong support for the use of probiotics in the outpatient setting for preventing AAD, there is lack of probiotic utilization by primary care providers in the outpatient setting. Current literature indicates that one of the barriers to probiotic use is medical doctors’ (MDs) and nurse practitioners’ (NPs) attitude and lack of knowledge regarding the use of probiotics in …

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 …

Ptsd Secondary To Childhood Maltreatment: Educating Health Care Providers In Roles And Responsibilities Directed To Improved Patient Outcomes, Virginia Smith-Dunwoody

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Researchers have described the connection between childhood maltreatment and adult mental illness such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. Research has also shown a serious lack of recognition of PTSD by the primary care provider. Using the Four Question Primary Care PTSD Screening tool provides information to the primary care provider necessary for ongoing treatment. Education of the primary care provider(s) in the use of the screening tool and in the care of the patient with symptoms of PTSD is based on the process employed by the Department of Veteran Affairs for PTSD identification in the primary care setting.

Using A Dnp-Led Transitional Care Program To Prevent Rehospitalization In Elderly Patients With Heart Failure Or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Moira L. Long,

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

ABSTRACT: TRANSITIONAL CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASE

BACKGROUND OF PROBLEM:

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 has put a spotlight on ensuring safe patient transfers between health care settings to prevent rehospitalization. Hospital readmissions are often influenced by a lack of outpatient transitional care programs to ensure the continuity of care during the transition from the inpatient setting to home. This gap in continuity further exacerbates the issues of patient management of medication regimens, adverse drug events, and follow-up with providers. These exacerbations combined with ineffective symptom management can all result in decompensation and rehospitalization. An extensive review of …

Enhancing The Efficacy And Cultural Sensitivity Of Heart Failure Education For Spanish-Speaking Hispanic Patients At Hospitalization And Through Phone Follow-Up., Eduardo A. Rosadio

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Heart failure (HF) is a disease with a high morbidity rate and is associated with a high rate of hospital re-admissions and medical complications. Therefore, medical insurance costs and hospital resource utilization are increasing yearly. The American Heart Association, The Heart Failure Society of America, and American College of Cardiology have published different clinical practice guidelines for heart failure management; these organizations have acknowledged the importance of patient self-care administration. Although interventions combining patient education, medical therapy, physical therapy, and post-discharge management in patients with heart failure have demonstrated benefits in patients, the gains attributed to heart failure patient education …

Increasing The Rate Of Pertussis Immunity Using The Tdap Immunization In Primary Care Patients 19 To 64 Years Of Age, Dorothy J. Cook

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

There has been an increase in the preventable communicable disease known as Pertussis as the result of waning immunity in adolescents and adults. Waning immunity is the loss of protective antibodies over a period of time. Despite the availability of a new immunization in 2005, adult immunization rates do not meet Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Healthy People 2020 goal. Adult immunizations remain a challenge. Preventive healthcare is the keystone to providing routine vaccination coverage. It is usually the point of entry into the health care system.

The theoretical model used was the Precaution Adoption Model, which allowed the provider …

Using An Evidence Based Practice Informatics Guided Medication Safety Intervention To Improve Medication Safety Among Community Dwelling Older Adults, Raeann G. Leblanc

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Medication safety and prevention of medication related problems are important issues in promoting and maintaining health and safety in one’s home for community dwelling older adults. Assessment of medications and management of a medication schedule are essential elements of medication safety, medication review, and medication care coordination. The Framework for Geriatric Homecare Excellence (Collaboration for Home Care Advances and Practices, 2009) is used as the foundation of this project to improve medication management, and promote and maintain health and safety at home. An in-home medication assessment was completed, using a medication management software informatics system to review medications, identify medication …