Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Improving Home Health Nurses' Knowledge Of Heart Failure Self-Care Management, Nenette Hoffman

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: Heart failure results in life-altering and devastating illnesses, predominantly among older adults. Heart failure management is complex, and requires patients and their caregivers to actively monitor symptoms and sufficiently understand care management to maintain health-promoting behaviors. While home health nurses have the primary role as patient educators of their patients with heart failure, evidence from the literature indicates that nurses lack sufficient knowledge to fulfill this role.

Local Problem: Nurses’ inadequate knowledge of heart failure self-care management has been associated with insufficient patient education, the inability of patients to perform heart failure self-care management, worse clinical outcomes, and …

The Nurse Will See You Now: Improving Nurse-Led Chemotherapy Teaching, Laura Oka

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Problem: According to The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 2020 World Cancer Report, cancer has contributed to 9.6 million deaths in 2018 and is now globally considered the second most common cause of death (IARC, 2020).

Context: As a cancer patient moves beyond diagnosis, there becomes a need to introduce the plan of care and education related to evidence-based treatments with an intent to cure. As the delivery of these treatments continues to move toward outpatient care, herein lies the challenge of sharing important information with the patient to improve health outcomes.

Intervention: This DNP change of …

Optimizing Screening Mammography: Educating Underserved Individuals With Limited English Proficiency, Yao Luo

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Problems: Culture and language may create huge barriers to the delivery of high-quality care for patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) who are seeking breast cancer care, especially in a population that consists of a large proportion of disadvantaged, low income, low English literacy, and high-risk women over 45 years of age.

Context: LEP patients’ inability to effectively communicate and inadequate knowledge about screening mammography have put them at great risk of receiving additional images during the exam, as well as brought a huge burden to technologists regarding breast positioning.

Interventions: A Doctor of Nursing Practice project was implemented to …

Reducing Frustration With Wait Times Utilizing Technology And Education: A Patient Satisfaction Improvement Model, Tiffany Brown

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Problem: Patients spend considerable amounts of valuable time waiting to be seen by physicians in outpatient clinical settings. Many consider waiting as wasted time, inactive time, or as a lost opportunity which can cause frustration. Research suggests that long clinic wait times have a major impact on patients with cancer causing a significant amount emotional distress. Context: At the hospital and thoracic oncology clinic implementation site which is located in northern California, the target time for a New Patient Visit (NPV) is less than or equal to 90 minutes, and less than or equal to 60 minutes for a Return …

Implementing Foot Care Program In A Rural Clinic, Maliheh Bakhshi

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications have increased in the United States (U.S.) in recent years. Patients with diabetes have a higher risk of foot ulcers due to diabetic peripheral arterial disease accelerated by the direct damage to the nerve and blood vessels in lower extremities by high blood sugar. Foot amputations, and frequent hospital admissions due to these and other diabetes complications are also increasing. Healthcare providers’ have a unique opportunity to prevent these complications and hospital admissions, and to promote patient wellness and physical well-being through the provision of timely education and direct …

Using Multi-Modal Education In A Public Health System To Increase Rates Of Cervical Cancer Screening, Christina Nardi

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

While Papanicolaou (Pap) screening has been implemented since the 1950’s, and is linked to decreased rates of cervical cancer, national screening rates are still below the national target screening rate. In Contra Costa County (CCC), the current cervical cancer screening rate is 50.92% (Contra Costa Health Services [CCHS], 2016a). This is far below the national goal of 93% and the first benchmark of 54.33% needed in order to receive state funding under the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Medi-Cal 2020 waiver. The Medi-Cal 2020 waiver has a 5-year Public Health Incentives and Redesign in Medi-Cal (PRIME) program requiring …