Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Improving Sepsis Bundle Compliance Through Comprehensive Education, Stacy Mikel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to improve emergency department compliance with sepsis bundles by educating registered nurses and licensed practical nurses on the proper use of sepsis screening tools, make changes to screening tools identified through chart reviews, and finally to evaluate the impact of these changes once initiated. This project sought to increase staff knowledge using an educational module.

Methods: This project began with the delivery of a pre-test questionnaire. The facility's target audience was asked to complete this to determine their current knowledge level regarding sepsis. Once these questionnaires were completed, they were reviewed, and information …

Dementia And The Role Of Alzheimer Disease, Jodi Kiessling

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Alzheimer disease is a progressive disease causing cognitive and functional decline with the hallmark sign of plagues and tangles within the brain. Genetics, inflammation, accumulation of beta-amyloid protein and breakdown of the blood brain barrier are all contributing factors in the disease. Treatment is not curative and is focused on symptom management and management of pre-existing chronic diseases.

School Of Nursing Newsletter Summer 2019, Southern Adventist University School Of Nursing

School of Nursing Newsletter

The Summer 2019 issue of the newsletter features information on accreditation renewal, appointment of Dr. Holly Gadd as dean, nursing honor class awards, spring break mission trips, faculty updates, and Campus Research Day.

Program Evaluation Of A Bundled Educational Intervention To Enhance Implementation Of Professional Exchange Report, Luanne M. Shaw

Luanne Shaw, DNP, MSN, RN, CHSE, CEN

Communication handover is a source of potential error and risk to patient safety. Electronic-based tools may reduce errors and mitigate risks to patient safety. Electronic tools have been successfully implemented using multiple methods of education and training. Electronic tools vary in functionality and integration with the electronic health record (EHR). A large West Michigan Regional Health System (RHS) implemented a new EHR containing an embedded tool for communication handover called Professional Exchange Report (PER). There was inconsistency in the practice of bedside report by nurses. The RHS planned to use a bundled approach of educational interventions to implement the new …

Innovative Lesson Plans For Active Learning: Teaching Nursing Research And Evidence-Based Practice, Susan M. Strouse Phd, Rn, Genevieve B. Elrod Phd, Rn, Ocn, Karyn Butler Phd, Rn, Fpmhnp-Bc, Cnm, Chibwe Caroline Powell Bsn, Rn, Afokoghene Odhu Bsn, Rn

Karyn Butler, PhD, CNM

Innovative Lessons Plans for Active Learning: Teaching Research and Evidence-Based Practice is a resource in research and evidence-based practice for active learning in the undergraduate nursing classroom. It is meant to supplement any nursing research text. Designed to provide educators with creative teaching ideas, this text includes a variety of lessons on nursing research topics. Topics include bias, measurement, sampling, theory and more. Lessons provide active learning for in-class, hybrid, and online formats. Each lesson includes objectives, overview, and detailed steps. As an open access resource, the text is continuously in-process. Designed to be independent of any published text, the …

Physical Assessment Skills In Nursing Curricula: A Scoping Review Protocol, Sherry Morrell, Jody Ralph, Natalie Giannotti, Debbie Dayus, Susan Dennison, Judy Bornais

Nursing Publications

Review objective:This review seeks to establish the current state of knowledge regarding physical assessment skills taught in nursing programs globally. It aims to explore the literature on physical assessment skills taught in nursing curricula globally, skills used by nurses in practice, skills used by students, and core physical assessment skills that are important to teach nursing students.

Physical Assessment Skills In Nursing Curricula: A Scoping Review Protocol., Sherry Morrell, Jody Ralph, Natalie Giannotti, Debbie Dayus, Susan Dennison, Judy Bornais

Nursing Publications

This review seeks to establish the current state of knowledge regarding physical assessment skills taught in nursing programs globally. It aims to explore the literature on physical assessment skills taught in nursing curricula globally, skills used by nurses in practice, skills used by students, and core physical assessment skills that are important to teach nursing students.

Variables Associated With Successful Vascular Access Cannulation In Hemodialysis Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study, Linda L. Coventry, Jon M. Hosking, Doris T. Chan, Evelyn Coral, Wai H. Lim, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Diane E. Twigg, Claire M. Rickard

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Successful vascular access (VA) cannulation is integral to the delivery of adequate dialysis, highlighting the importance of ensuring the viability of arteriovenous access in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Missed VA cannulation can lead to infection, infiltration, hematoma or aneurysm formation resulting in the need for access revision, central venous catheter (CVC) placement, or permanent loss of VA. Cannulation-related complications can also negatively impact on a patient's dialysis experience and quality of life. This study aimed to identify patient, VA and nurse factors associated with unsuccessful VA cannulations.

METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in HD patients with a permanent …

Antimicrobial Stewardship: Staff Nurse Knowledge And Attitudes, Katreena Collette Merrill, Sandra Forsyth Hanson, Sharon Sumner, Todd Vento, John Veillette, Brandono Webb

Faculty Publications

Background: Registered nurses are uniquely qualified to augment antimicrobial stewardship (AS) processes. However, the role of nursing in AS needs further development. More information is needed regarding gaps in registered nurse knowledge, attitudes toward AS, and how infection preventionists can help.

Methods: An online descriptive survey was deployed to a convenience sample of approximately 2,000 nurses at the bedside. The survey included 15 questions addressing: (1) overall knowledge of AS; (2) antimicrobial delivery; (3) knowledge and attitudes regarding antimicrobial use; (4) antimicrobial resistance; and (5) antimicrobial resources and education.

Results: Three hundred sixteen staff nurses from 3 hospitals (15.8%) responded …

An Investigation Of The Relationships Between And Among Disaster Preparedness Knowledge, Perceived Use Of Intuition, And Triage Decision Making Of Emergency Department Registered Nurses In Acute Care Hospitals Using Benner’S Novice To Expert Theory, Brian Charles Schneider

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Background: Disasters are man-made or natural events that challenge resources and support in an environment lacking rules and regulations. Nurses represent the largest resource in healthcare and are among the first to encounter victims of disaster, thus having knowledge of disaster preparedness is essential to disaster response. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence concerning the relationships between everyday elements of nursing practice such as intuition and triage decision-making and disaster preparedness knowledge.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between and among disaster preparedness knowledge, perceived use of intuition, and triage decision-making in emergency …

The Effects Of A Mobile Fitness Application On Weight Management And Physical Acticity Amongst University Students, Erica Deenihan

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The prevalence of obesity, and obesity related diseases throughout America, specifically in regard to the college student population has steadily climbed over the course of the last forty years, due largely in part to the increase in sedentary lifestyle behaviors, amongst other factors (Swanson, 2016). Physical activity has been widely recognized as a valid means of combatting obesity and weight gain while promoting health related quality of life (Swanson, 2016). Therefore, implementing strategies aimed at increasing physical fitness in attempt to control weight management is imperative to promoting improved health outcomes. The purpose of this evidence-based project was to examine …

Incorporating Oral Health Care In Pediatric Primary Care Practice, Salamatu Yusif

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The most common chronic disease in childhood is dental caries and is more prevalent than asthma and hay fever (HHS, 2000). Data show that in the United States from 2011-2014, 24% of children aged 2-5 years had experienced dental caries in their primary teeth, with 11% having untreated caries (Dye et al., 2017). Primary care clinicians have an important role to play in promoting children’s oral health as much as dentists because they have more contact with children. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to integrate an evidence-based oral health program for children in a pediatric primary care …

Felty Syndrome, Dorothea Frederick, Dnp, Fnp-C

College of Nursing Posters

Take home point: It is important to remember that the diagnosis of FS may be masked in patients who present with infection, since active bacterial infection raises the WBC count to normal or slightly elevated – the neutropenia reappears shortly after successful treatment (Kay, 2017).

Rural Hospital Nursing Skill Mix And Work Environment Associated With Frequency Of Adverse Events., Jessica G. Smith, Colin M. Plover, Moira C. Mcchesney, Eileen T. Lake

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Introduction: Though rural hospitals serve about one fifth of the United States (U.S.), few studies have investigated relationships among nursing resources and rural hospital adverse events.

Objectives: The purpose was to determine relationships among nursing skill mix (proportion of Registered Nurses (RNs) to all nursing staff), the work environment and adverse events (medication errors, patient falls with injury, pressure ulcers, and urinary tract infections) in rural hospitals.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, nurse survey data from a large study examining nurse organizational factors, patient safety, and quality from four U.S. states were linked to the 2006 American Hospital Association data. …

Clinical Practice Guideline Adherence: Primary Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease In At-Risk Adults, Sharnita L. Rice

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) (2013; 2016), as well as the American Diabetes Association (ADA) joined forces to create clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) recommendations for healthcare providers (HCPs) to follow with the aim of preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control (2017a) estimates CVD costs 325 billion dollars annually. Although CVD has an astronomical cost associated with it, CPG adherence continues to be an issue among HCPs and improvement is warranted. The purpose of this EBP project …

The Effect Of The Implementation Of A Quarterly Triad Tool In The Pain Clinic Setting On The Assessment And Mitigation Of Risks In Patients On Chronic Opioid Therapy, Caroline Asava

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines (BZDs poses a formidable challenge for clinicians who manage chronic pain. While the escalating use of opioid analgesics for the treatment of chronic pain and the concomitant rise in opioid-related abuse and misuse are widely recognized trends, the contribution of combination use of BZDs, alcohol, and/or other sedative agents to opioid-related morbidity and mortality is underappreciated, even when these agents are used appropriately. Patients with chronic pain who use opioid analgesics along with BZDs have a defined increase in rates of adverse events, overdose, and death, warranting close monitoring. To improve patient outcomes, …

A Literature Review On Improving Nurse-Patient Communication Manuscript, Irene Gabbedon

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Effective communication happens when the sender of the message sends it, and it is conveyed and understood by the receiver (Gilbert & Hayes, 2009). Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States alone (McMains, 2016). The Joint Commission (TJC) (2019) implemented National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) in 2002, and improving communication among caregivers has been a goal that has been frequently revised. Due to ineffective communication, life-threatening errors are created among healthcare workers. Nurses play an important role in the communication channel and barriers can be created when there is a lack of health literacy. …

Unraveling Sex Trafficking Through Screening And Referrals, Rebecca Sarabia

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery; sex trafficking is one form of human trafficking. Previous research has demonstrated that most trafficking victims encounter the healthcare system at some point during their trafficking experience. Patients who have been sex trafficked may experience profound psychological and physical trauma. Healthcare personnel are in key positions to screen for trafficking and to provide appropriate referrals; if an awareness of the problem exists. The purpose of this project was to increase OB/Gyn office staff confidence with sex trafficking screening and to complete appropriate referrals to address the identified needs. The project began …

A Multifaceted Approach To Antibiotic Stewardship In The Outpatient Clinical Setting For Bronchitis, Elizabeth A. Weaver

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Antimicrobial resistance is a world-wide health crisis (Infectious Disease Society of America [IDSA], 2016; World Health Organization [WHO], 2017) expedited by the overuse/inappropriate use of antibiotics. In the outpatient setting it has been determined that approximately 60% of antibiotic therapies are prescribed (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2016). Antibiotic stewardship is the coordinated effort to improve the use of antibiotic therapies, minimize misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis and select appropriate antibiotic drug regimens (IDSA, 2016). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to evaluate the effects of an antibiotic stewardship program (presentation, survey collection, bimonthly e-mail reminders, patient …

Implementation Of An Advance Care Planning Protocol To Increase Advance Directive Completion Rates, Christine Engle

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Advanced directives (AD) allow an individual to retain autonomy in end-of-life decisions and can prevent unnecessary costs and treatments associated with aggressive life-prolonging measures. As of 2017, only an estimated 36.7% of the United States adult population had a form of advance directive documented (Yadav et al., 2017). The purpose of this evidence-based project was to determine if implementation of an advanced care planning (ACP) protocol would increase ACP discussions, AD completion, and result in a modification in stage of change or behavior. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) and Stetler Model of evidence-based practice were used as the framework to guide …

Use Of Smartphone Application To Facilitate Weight Loss And Promote Accountability In Obese And Overweight Patients, Angela M. Turner

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) on obesity from 2011 through 2014. From the survey, it was determined that the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. was 36% in adults and 17% in young adults/children (Ogden et al., 2015). Lifestyle modifications including moderation of caloric intake and increased exercise have been shown to be effective for both prevention and treatment of obesity. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project involved the design, administration, and evaluation of a technology-assisted weight loss intervention to address the health problem of …

Health Literacy Screening To Increase Antihypertensive Medication Adherence, Boyann Bonjean

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Hypertension contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, heart attack, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (Abegaz et al., 2016; Weir, 2014; Whelton et al., 2017). Evidence indicates that 30 to 50% of people who are prescribed antihypertensive medication therapy are nonadherent (Hedna et al., 2015). Non-adherence to antihypertensive medications is a major contributor to hypertension treatment failure (Al Ghurair et al., 2012; Hu, 2016; Whelton et al., 2017). Evidence has shown that low health literacy may impact antihypertensive therapy (Slade, 2017). The purpose of this EBP project was to provide an organizational change by implementing a health …

Spiritual Care In Nursing Practice In Veteran Healthcare, Elizabeth Burkhart, Anna Bretschneider, Sharon Gerc, Mary E. Desmond

Nursing: School of Nursing Faculty Publications and Other Works

Spiritual care is important in nursing practice, and spiritual well-being and spiritual care are associated with better health. Military veterans, a unique patient population, want spiritual care to cope with chronic conditions. It is unclear whether spiritual care is provided in veteran health care in the United States. This study used a qualitative descriptive method, guided by the Spiritual Care in Nursing Practice (SCNiP) theory, to describe spiritual care in nursing practice and facilitators/barriers in veteran health care. Individual interviews were conducted with 39 registered nurses (RNs) at a U.S. veteran health system. Findings were consistent with the SCNiP theory …

Emergency Nurse Perceptions Of Disaster Preparedness After The Implementation Of A Department Emergency Operations Plan, Angela R. Gentry

Theses and Dissertations from 2019

Emergency departments (ED) are the entryway into the healthcare system during a disaster event and patients often arrive in the first thirty minutes after an event has occurred. This creates unique challenges for ED nurses. The purpose of the Quality Improvement (QI) project was to measure the impact of a Department Emergency Operations Plan (DEOP) on the ED nurse’s perception of disaster preparedness. This study included a convenience sample of 126 full time and part time registered nurses working in the ED at a Level 1 Trauma hospital. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained by both Arkansas Tech University …

Moral Distress In Critical Care And Emergency Department Nurses, Morgan Timberlake, Nicole Phillips

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Moral distress is a phenomenon that occurs when a person is unable to carry out what they believe is the ethically appropriate action due to various external constraints. This literature review seeks to explore the interventions that are most effective in reducing moral distress in critical care and emergency department nurses who have experienced moral distress in practice.

School Of Nursing Class Of 2019 Hooding And Pinning Program, Cedarville University

B.S.N. and M.S.N. Academic Celebrations

No abstract provided.

A Lifestyle Modification Program For Adult Patients With Coronary Artery Disease, Amanda M. Yarbrough

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

As a leading cause of death worldwide, coronary artery disease affects people of all races and ethnicities. The foundation for the prevention of secondary fatal cardiac events, such as stroke or myocardial infarction, is lifestyle modification to effectively lower cholesterol levels. Lifestyle change impacts diet, physical activity, smoking habits, vital sign measures, and stress management. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to reduce implement a lifestyle intervention to lower LDL-C levels and promote healthier lifestyles. This practice change was developed utilizing Stetler’s Research Utilization model to promote evidence-based practice changes in the clinical setting. Nola Pender’s Health Promotion …

Postpartum Depression Interventions, Maggie Brown, Corie Vanarsdale Msn

Nursing Undergraduate Work

PPD affects up to 19% of women worldwide. Possible behavioral changes include poor child outcomes, altered mother-infant bond, and even abuse of the child by the mother. The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize current research to answer the question, what nursing interventions best treat postpartum depression affecting mothers of low SES in developed countries. The methodology included 10 articles in research of interventions related to sleep, exercise, and social support. Of these interventions in the discussion, exercise is the most effective. Peer support increases maternal mood and likelihood of seeking professional help. Volunteer support is effective if …

Nursing Interventions That Address Barriers In The United States That Impact Neonatal Mortality, Victoria D. Sullivan, Ashton J. White

Nursing Undergraduate Work

In 2016, four out of every 1000 babies born in the US died within one month of age. This systematic research review explored nursing interventions that addressed barriers that impact neonatal mortality. The most significant barriers nurses faced in reducing and preventing NM were maternal access to healthcare and education during pregnancy, which can be influenced by maternal age, low socioeconomic status, lack of familial support, poor health literacy, and geographic location. The articles examined included nursing interventions that were evidence-based and addressed barriers relating to NM. Interventions promoting the reduction of NM included education of women’s health and prenatal …

Heart Failure Self-Management, Svetlana Zaharova

Theses and Dissertations

Heart failure is a chronic health problem. Heart failure is costly for society, resulting in high morbidity and mortality which accounts for large public spending on this disease. Heart failure (HF) management is complex and requires coordination between patients, families, and their health team members. Self-management (SM) of HF is an important component of chronic disease management and, when done well, aids in preventing HF exacerbations and unnecessary hospitalizations. There are gaps in nursing knowledge of as to which strategies best account for successful outcomes of SM in HF and which patient attributes help contribute to better SM. To clarify …