Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Stress Relieving Lavender Aromatherapy For Inpatient Nurses, Kaneisha Deburgo

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Lavender essential oil as a form of aromatherapy is proven to be an effective way to relieve occupational stress among nurses, providing them with a healthy self-care outlet. The purpose of this DNP project was to decrease the stress levels of inpatient nurses by implementing lavender essential oil aromatherapy as a self-care initiative. Willing inpatient Registered Nurses within a fast-paced inpatient telemetry unit were given a vial that contained three drops of Young Living lavender essential oil enclosed within at the beginning of their shifts. The nurses were asked to carry it with them during their eight-hour shifts for three …

Increasing Staff Knowledge And Screening Practices For Adverse Childhood Experiences In Primary Care, Angela Mcgraw

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are important to future health outcomes. Many health care providers lack the knowledge or training to assess for ACE. Purpose. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to increase the identification of ACE among adult clients in a primary care clinic in Saint John New Brunswick Canada, through the delivery of an education session for the health care team members and patient screening for ACE. Methods. Staff at one clinic attended an educational program about ACE. Staff completed a pre and post education survey questionnaire (N = 8). Additionally, clinic patients (N= 32) were screened …

Prevention And Management Of Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases (Gerd) And Peptic Ulcer Diseases (Pud’S) Among Bhutanese Refugees Utilizing Personalize Patient Education, Sharada Paudel

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Bhutanese refugees in the United States frequently suffer from gastrointestinal diseases especially gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) which may impact on their quality of life. Purpose: This DNP Project utilized individualized patient education to help improve knowledge on prevention and management of GERD to decrease exacerbations. Methods: Three sessions of individualized live patient education with 15 Bhutanese refugee patients living in Western Massachusetts were provided. Pre and post intervention surveys on patient's symptoms, quality of life, degree of patient knowledge about disease and self-care management and number of ambulatory care visits utilizing the GERD …

Utilizing Motivational Interviewing To Encourage Weight Loss In Primary Care, Wendy Sergeant

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Purpose and Background: The purpose of this project was to educate nurse practitioners (NPs) and nurses (RNs) to promote healthy changes in obese individuals using the principles of Motivational interviewing (MI). Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States with two out of every three adults considered overweight or obese. Their health problems become costly and deadly. Ideally, RNs and NPs are the front line providers in this struggle of obesity because of their philosophy of health promotion. RNs and NPs can screen and address obesity through lifestyle counseling. Motivational interviewing, a proven and effective counseling method, is useful …

Reduction In Postoperative Infections Using Surgical Care Improvement Project (Scip) Guidelines: A Quality Improvement Project, Irene Smith

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Optimal methods for measuring and reporting quality surgical care have predominantly been based on process measures, rather than outcome measures. Efforts to reduce adverse outcomes and increase quality perioperative care, were instituted with the introduction of the Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP). These measures were created to reduce postsurgical complications as they have been associated with substantial increase in costs, length of stay and most importantly, patient quality of life and mortality. This quality improvement project focused on four SCIP measures and their effectiveness in reducing post operative infections in lower extremity total joint surgery. Educational sessions regarding infection/complication rates …

Timely Transitioning To Hospice: A Needs Assessment With A Pace Program To Improve End Of Life Care, Kristina Kelley

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Hospice care has been proven to improve patient outcomes at the end of life. However, patients frequently die without receiving hospice benefits. The challenge of transitioning patients from care with a life prolonging intent to a comfort focused approach can partly be attributed to poor prognostication or misconceptions about hospice. A Program for All Inclusive Care of Elders (PACE) in Massachusetts identified transitioning to hospice as an area for improvement. Purpose: To perform a needs assessment to gain understanding of the barriers to effective transitions to hospice and to provide education aimed at addressing those barriers. Methods: Subjects included …

Reducing 30-Day Heart Failure Readmission Among Elderly Population In Long-Term Care, Nkechi Ukomadu

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in the United States and accounts for more than one million hospitalizations every year. Readmission within 30 days of discharge is an indicator used for measuring the quality of care for heart failure patients.

Methods: The goal of this quality improvement project was to reduce the 30-day readmission rate of heart failure patients 60 years and older in a long-term care setting in Texas by using an evidence-based transitional readiness discharge checklist for heart failure. Interventions included staff education on the key components and on the checklist. A pre- and …

Screening For Trauma In The Foster Care Community, Catrina Graham

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Children within the foster care community experience health disparities on a variety of levels, from physical and mental health conditions, developmental delay, and impaired social interactions. Many of these conditions can stem from the experience of trauma or adverse childhood events that color each component of their lives. For healthcare providers to be successful in the assessment and treatment of this community, an understanding of traumatic events and the delivery of trauma-informed care is essential. The complex needs of this community are such that the provision of healthcare must be specialized, multidimensional, and organized. The purpose of this project is …

Self-Management Of Dyspnea In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients., Juliet Marcia Farrell

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation are reported to have a decreased quality of life relating to their health. In 2015 it was reported that over three million COPD patients died as a result of their disease. Although COPD patients are receiving medication, they still struggle with dyspnea as they carry out their daily activities.

Purpose: To implement an evidence-based educational program to assist COPD patients in self-management of dyspnea.

Methods: The DNP student obtained consent from prospective participants and assigned a unique identifier, which included his or her first and last initial and three digits. …

Hiv Education And Empowerment A Program For The Women Of Kiryabicooli, Uganda, Emily Rymland

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: HIV continues to be a serious health, social and economic burden in Uganda. Early in the epidemic, the government’s rapid response brought the HIV infection rates from 30% in the 1990s to 4% by 2000, however rates are rising with some district’s reporting the HIV rate rising up to 7.8%. Myths surrounding transmission, disease progression and treatment compound the country’s vulnerability. The goal of this Quality Improvement project is to educate women with children under 13 years old about the facts of HIV, in the hopes that with that knowledge they can take action to decrease their own …

Reducing 30-Day Heart Failure Readmission Among Elderly Population In Long-Term Care, Nkechi Ukomadu

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in the United States and accounts for more than one million hospitalizations every year. Readmission within 30 days of discharge is an indicator used for measuring the quality of care for heart failure patient. Methods: The goal of this quality improvement project is to reduce the 30-day readmission rate of heart failure patients 60 years and older in a long-term care setting in Texas by using an evidence-based transitional readiness discharge checklist for heart failure. Interventions included staff education on the key components and on the checklist. A pre- and post-test …

Sustainability And Impact Of Lung Health Outpatient Resource Center, Maureen Lintner, Jose Morales, Rosario Dominguez, Margarita Pallares, Maribel Matos, Robert Ramirez, Tina Hyman, Cristiana Rivas

All Publications

No abstract provided.

Keeping Healthy “Chorio” Babies Out Of The Nicu, Laura Senn

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Care After Lymphoma (Caly) Trial: A Phase Ii Pilot Pragmatic Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Nurse-Led Model Of Survivorship Care, Karen Taylor, Paola Chivers, Caroline Bulsara, David Joske, Max Bulsara, Leanne Monterosso

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Purpose: Post-treatment follow-up for lymphoma potentially fails to address the supportive care needs of survivors. A nurse-led lymphoma survivorship model of care was developed and tested in a phase II pilot pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT). The intervention comprised three face-to-face appointments, delivery of tailored resources and an individualised survivorship care plan and treatment summary (SCPTS), shared with the general practitioner (GP).

Method: Three months’ post-treatment completion, eligible lymphoma patients were randomised 1:1 to usual care (control) or usual care plus intervention. Survivorship unmet needs (Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey), distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21), adjustment to cancer (Mini-Mental …

Through The Microbial Looking Glass: Premature Labor, Preeclampsia, And Gestational Diabetes: A Scoping Review, Alexis B. Dunn, Lisa Hanson, Leona Vandevusse, Sharon Leslie

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The influence of microbial factors on adverse perinatal outcomes has become the focal point of recent investigations, with particular interest in the role of the microbiome and probiotic interventions. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and critique the most recent evidence about these factors as they relate to pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia (PEC), preterm birth (PTB), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane) were searched for articles published in English in the last 10 years with the concepts of the microbiome, probiotics, and PEC, PTB, or GDM. Forty-nine articles were …

A New Leadership Development Model For Nursing Education, Jane M. Miles, Elaine S. Scott

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Leadership competency is required throughout nursing. Students have difficulty understanding leadership as integral to education and practice. A consistent framework for nursing leadership education, strong scholarship and an evidence base are limited.

Purpose

To establish an integrated leadership development model for prelicensure nursing students that recognizes leadership as a fundamental skill for nursing practice and promotes development of nursing leadership education scholarship.

Method

Summarizing definitions of nursing leadership, conceptualizing leadership development capacity through reviewing trends, and synthesizing existing leadership theories through directed content analysis.

Discussion

Nine leadership skills form the organizing structure for the Nursing Leadership Development Model. Leadership …

The Impact Of Maternal Bmi, Gestational Weight Gain, And Breastfeeding On Early Childhood Weight: Analysis Of A Statewide Wic Dataset, Jennifer M. Ohlendorf, Karen Marie Robinson, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Early childhood obesity is a persistent health concern with more frequent and significant impact on low-income families. Maternal weight factors impact offspring weight status, but evidence on whether breastfeeding protects against this impact is mixed. This analysis examined a model to predict early childhood obesity risk, simultaneously accounting for maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, and breastfeeding. The team analyzed 27,016 unique maternal-child dyadic records collected via the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Wisconsin Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) between 2009 and 2011. Generalized Linear Modeling, specifically logistic regression, was used to predict a child's risk …

Integrating Research And Quality Improvement Using Teamstepps: A Health Team Communication Project To Improve Hospital Discharge, Joseph Beiler, Kristi Opper, Marianne E. Weiss

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose/Objectives:

The purpose of this article is to describe an innovative approach to the integration of quality improvement and research processes. A project with the objective of improving health team communication about hospital discharge provides an exemplar case.

Description of the Project/Program:

The TeamSTEPPS 10-step action planning guide provided the structure for planning, developing, and evaluating a redesign of interprofessional health team communication to improve hospital discharge led by 2 clinical nurse specialists. The redesign involved development of processes for team bedside rounding, registered nurse bedside shift reports, and briefing tools to support the rounding processes.

Outcome:

Using the TeamSTEPPS …

Effects Of Positive Thinking On Dementia Caregivers’ Burden And Care-Recipients’ Behavioral Problems, Abir K. Bekhet, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Most dementia care is provided at home by family members. This caregiving places an additional burden on the family members, which can negatively impact their physical and psychological well-being. The caregivers’ burden can also contribute to behavioral problems in the care-recipients. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating/moderating effects of positive thinking (PT) on the relationship between caregivers’ burden (embarrassment/anger, patient’s dependency, and self-criticism) and their care-recipients’ behavioral problems (memory, depression, and disruption) in a sample of 100 dementia caregivers. Results indicated that caregivers’ embarrassment, self-criticism, and perception of patient dependency predicts depression in care-recipients, and these …

Signs Of Growth And Healing: Health Care And Science, Richard J. Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

MY ESSAY ON THE HISTORY OF Catholic Natural Family Planning (NFP) scientists (chapter 8 in this volume) ended with discussing scientists who were active during the papacy of John Paul II (1979-2005). This present essay continues with the time period from approximately 2000 to 2018 and, indeed, into the future. My purpose here, however, is to delineate signs of growth and healing in health care and science related to NFP and not to focus on individual NFP scientists. Given that purpose, recent trends in NFP science and historical factors that influence NFP science can provide us with signs of growth …

Climate Change, Climate Justice, And A Call For Action, Jasmine Travers, Elizabeth Schenk, William Rosa, Patrice Nicholas

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.